AFP commissions 3 new Navy helicopters

MANILA, Philippines - The military’s territorial defense and disaster response capabilities got another boost yesterday with the commissioning of three brand new Navy helicopters.

The commissioning, which allowed the Navy to deploy the helicopters to mission areas, was held in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City as part of the celebration of the Armed Forces’ 78th anniversary.

The three helicopters constitute the first batch of naval helicopters to be delivered by the supplier, Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland.

The Navy is acquiring five AW 109 Power helicopters from AgustaWestland for P1.35 billion.

The two remaining helicopters will be delivered next year.

The new helicopters are expected to accompany the Navy frigates BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz in patrol operations to secure the country’s territorial waters.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin led the commissioning of the three naval helicopters which are expected to be deployed at the West Philippine Sea.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, Navy chief Vice Adm. Jose Luis Alano and Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Lauro de la Cruz witnessed the event.

“These will help a lot because our new ships, BRP del Pilar and BRP Alcaraz, will have helicopters aboard so it will extend the coverage of their patrols,” Bautista said.

“We can also use these helicopters if there are emergencies. They can be used to evacuate the sick. They can also be used for surveillance,” he added.

Alano said the helicopters are equipped with surveillance cameras that would allow them to transmit data to ships.