Almost 50 more choppers for PAF

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be acquiring "close to 50" military helicopters in the next 18 months to bolster its fight against insurgents and terrorist groups, Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita said yesterday.

"By the end of (this) month, the initial batch of helicopters will be delivered. And by the middle of August this year, the first three Huey (UH-1H) helicopters from Singapore Technologies Aerospace will likewise be here," Ermita said at his keynote speech during the 57th PAF anniversary at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

Ermita said 10 other Huey helicopters from the United States, under an Excess Defense Article program of the Pentagon, will soon be undertaken utilizing the modernization funds of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

He said the US Congress was to finance the purchase of 20 of the aircraft in keeping with US President George W. Bush’s pledge of increased military assistance to the Philippines, which it designated a major non-NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) ally last year.

"We will be receiving these assets by the third quarter of next year," Ermita said.

"In all, we will have close to 50 additional helicopters by the end of 2005," he added.

The additional aircraft "will enhance our air force capability especially in counter-insurgency and the fight against terrorism," Ermita later told reporters.

AFP chief Gen. Narciso Abaya, for his part, said these would cost more than P600 million.

Ermita also announced during the anniversary that President Arroyo has approved the release of more than P671 million in funds for additional helicopters for the PAF.

The celebration also marked the formal turnover of command to Maj. Gen. Jose Reyes, a graduate of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1973, as the new PAF chief replacing Maj. Gen. Arcadio Seron. — With Jaime Laude, AFP