PAF gets last batch of Polish helicopters

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Air Force (PAF) took delivery of two brand new helicopters yesterday morning at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

Col. Ernesto Okol, PAF spokesman, said the arrival of the two W-3A Sokol (Falcon series) helicopters at the Clark Air Base, which is adjacent to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, completed the multi-billion contract between the PAF and the Polish firm PZL-Swidnik that involved the purchase of eight helicopters.

“The delivery completes the contract for the government to purchase eight Sokol helicopters from PZL-Swidnik in the amount of P2,857,864,625.18,” Okol said.

PZL-Swidnik delivered to the PAF the first batch of four Sokol helicopters on Feb. 2, 2012. The next two aircraft were delivered in November last year.

The procurement deal is part of the military’s modernization program currently being pushed by the Aquino government.

Prior to the final delivery of the helicopters, a PAF team conducted a pre-delivery inspection of the two new aircraft at the PZL-Swidnik facility in Poland early this month to ensure that all the parts and the equipment to be delivered are in proper order.

“The two main fuselages and other equipment and parts of the two Sokols were transported into the country aboard an AN-124 transport plane yesterday.

After the inspection and inventory, maintenance personnel from PZL-Swidnik would assemble the two helicopters and PAF pilots would conduct test flights, Okol said.