US turns over ScanEagle drones to Philippine Air Force
MANILA, Philippines — The United States on Tuesday had officially truned over a new unmanned aerial system worth $13.76 million to the Philippine Air Force.
The acquisition of six ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles from the US would enhance the ground, air and naval operations of the PAF.
US Ambassador Sung Kim led the presentation of the unmanned aerial vehicles to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana during the transfer ceremony. The drones were then turned over to the 300th Air Intelligence and Security unit of the Air Force.
The ScanEagle drones are capable of conducting missions such as internal security operations, counter-terrorism and limited maritime patrol.
The new drones will also be used for humanitarian assistance and disaster response as the unmanned aerial vehicles can assess the extent of damage caused by disasters and can locate victims and survivors.
Other Philippine government agencies can also utilize the drones for anti-illegal logging, aerial survey and anti-dynamite fishing, the PAF said.
The US had deployed the ScanEagle for missions such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, special services operations, escort operations, sea-lane and convoy protection, high-speed wireless voice, and video and data communications relay.
The ScanEagle system is in operational service with the US Marine Corps, US Navy and the Australian Army. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
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