Source: Reuters AlertNet
MANILA, July 7 (Reuters) - The Philippines has spent $18 million to
acquire 30 refurbished helicopters from the United States and a
Singapore defence contractor in a move to strengthen its creaking
air force, military officials said on Wednesday.
Defence Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Washington had promised to
provide an additional 20 repaired Vietnam War-era helicopters by
next year as part of $35.4 million in U.S. military aid in 2004 to
help an Asian ally.
"In all, we will have close to 50 additional helicopters by the end
of 2005," Ermita told reporters at a gathering for the Philippine
Air Force's 57th anniversary at an airbase in Manila.
"The acquisition of these air assets will enhance our air force
capability in fighting both insurgency and terrorism. It could
definitely help in our efforts to drive out Jemaah Islamiah
militants hiding in the southern Philippines," he said.
The Philippines is under pressure to oust members of the Southeast
Asian Jemaah Islamiah militant network from southern Mindanao
island, where they are believed to have training bases.
The initial batch of helicopters should arrive next month, after
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gave orders two weeks ago to pay
600 million pesos ($10.8 million) to Singapore Technologies
Aerospace, Southeast Asia's largest aviation service company,
Ermita said.
Singapore will deliver three helicopters every month until all 20
are delivered by early 2005 under a $10-$12 million deal reached
last December, said Lieutenant-Colonel Restituto Padilla, an air
force spokesman.
"These are not brand new aircraft but we need them to perform our
expanding missions," he said.
General Narciso Abaya, the military chief of staff, said about $7.3
million had been paid to the U.S. government last March for 10
UH-1H helicopters, commonly known as "Hueys", due for delivery late
this year or in early 2005.
The air force already has about 60 Hueys, all acquired from the
United States under a foreign military sales programme, but less
than 30 are in flying condition.