The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is planning to buy more second-hand Vietnam War era UH-1H or Huey helicopters from the United States to fill in the needs of the operating units, said the military on Sunday.
Air Force Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Pedro Ike Insierto said the Air Force has only 41 Hueys at present, about 60 units short of the requirement of the troops.
"The requirement of the area commands is very large. We cannot fill them up with all brand new," he said.
An ageing Huey helicopter crashed in April in the central city of Cebu, killing seven civilians and two Air Force personnel. The aircraft was on a training flight when its rotor entangled with nylon strings used in flying kites.
A month later, another Huey helicopter crashed again in Cebu due to pilots' "miscalculation". No one died or was hurt in the incident.
Huey helicopters serves as the military's backbone in light- lift capability. Among others, they are used in inserting troops in the frontlines and are also used in the provision close-air support to troops engaged in combat against Muslim and leftwing insurgents.
Also, Huey helicopters are used by the military in transporting people to remote areas and in search and rescue missions in disasters.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has released 5 billion pesos (111 million U.S. dollars) for the acquisition of new helicopters.
Armed Forces' deputy chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Romero has said the plan is to use the money to acquire eight attack and eight transport helicopters.
The Philippine Air Force has no air patrol and all jet fighters have been either retired or grounded.
The United States recently donated 10 Huey helicopters to the Philippine military as part of its military aid package to the country.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article