PAF to buy P70-M spare parts for attack helicopters

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will spend close to P70 million to acquire spare parts for its AW109 attack helicopters to ensure that the air assets will remain in good condition.

Bid notices uploaded from the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System website showed that the acquisition of spare parts was divided into two projects or lots.

The first lot costs P31.42 million, while the second has an approved budget of P37.5 million.

PAF spokesman Col. Enrico Canaya over the weekend said the spare parts would be acquired “for future use,” noting that the procurement process takes time.

“This is to make sure that our assets are in top condition,” he said.

Canaya clarified that the eight AW109 helicopters in their inventory remain in good condition.

The bid documents did not state what specific helicopter spare parts will be acquired.

To be qualified, prospective bidders should have completed a similar project within the last five years.

The deadline for the submission of bids for the two projects is on March 31 at the Air Force Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base in Pasay, the PAF said.

The bids will be opened on the same day.

The military bought eight AW109 Power helicopters from Anglo-Italian firm AgustaWestland for P3.44 billion two years ago.

The helicopters are now being used for internal security operations and surveillance.

AgustaWestland previously said the helicopters would feature a mission package and equipment with a combination of weapon systems.

According to the company, each helicopter is an eight-seat twin-engine helicopter with a spacious cabin that can be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages.         

AgustaWestland is the same aircraft manufacturer that won the contract for the acquisition of five AW 109 Power naval helicopters worth P1.3 billion.