Below is the report I copy & paste from another forum, I am
sure you could find the link.................
Philippines buying 20 helicopters from S'pore firm
By Manny Mogato
MANILA, Jan 9 (Reuters) - The Philippines is buying 20 refurbished
helicopters from a Singapore defence contractor, the air force said
on Friday, in a $12 million deal that will bolster the region's
weakest military force.
Singapore Technologies Aerospace, Southeast Asia's largest aviation
service company, is expected to deliver the first batch of three
upgraded versions of the U.S.-built UH-1H helicopters in March, air
force spokesman Major Restituto Padilla told Reuters.
The Philippines will get at least three helicopters, which date
from the Vietnam War era, every month until all 20 are delivered by
the end of this year.
"This is the best deal we can get considering our limited
resources," Padilla said. "These are not brand new aircraft but
they will be better because of night-flying capabilities."
The UH-1H is the workhorse of the Philippine military, performing
medical and casualty evacuations, troop transport and close air
support on operations against a host of Muslim and communist rebel
groups.
The air force already has about 60 UH-1Hs, all acquired from the
United States under a foreign military sales programme, but less
than 30 are in flying condition.
Padilla said the funds for the helicopter transfer deal were drawn
from the $3 billion military modernisation programme, but that only
$90 million was available for disbursement.
Singapore Technologies Aerospace beat out three other bidders and
has agreed to provide maintenance and after-sales service for the
helicopters over the next two years.
"Yes, we did make a bid for the tender," Audrey Tan, a spokeswoman
for the defence contractor, told Reuters. "We are still waiting to
hear back from the Philippine government."
Singapore Technologies Aerospace's regional marketing director
Anthony Tan said it was still awaiting the final award.
U.S. HELICOPTERS ALSO COMING
Padilla said the contract was awarded on December 2 but required a
"notice to proceed" from Defence Secretary Eduardo Ermita and
General Narciso Abaya, the military's chief of staff.
"This is a done deal. The president has already given her
approval," Padilla said, adding that Singapore had also obtained
approval from the United States for the helicopter transfer.
He said all defence equipment made by U.S. companies need an
end-user certificate before being transferred to a third
party.
The Philippines is also getting 10 UH-1Hs from Washington under the
U.S. Excess Defence Article programme, but Manila will pay $8
million for their refurbishment.
The 10 helicopters are in addition to 20 UH-1Hs that U.S. President
George W. Bush promised to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when
she visited Washington in May 2003.
The 20 helicopters pledged by Bush will be delivered without charge
as part of a $300 million military assistance package.
The Philippines is a close ally in the U.S.-led war on terror,
hosting American soldiers to train its own forces. Manila also was
a member of the "coalition of the willing" during the Iraq war but
did not send any troops.
