PAF to receive brand new 'Tom Cruise' trainer aircraft

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will receive today four brand new “Tom Cruise” SF-60 trainer aircraft, as part of an 18-jet package slated to be turned over to the government by Aerotech Industries Philippines Inc., a partner of Italy-based aircraft manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi.

The 18 aircraft, to be turned over to the PAF in tranches of four units each up to next year, would cost P622.59 million, the PAF said.

The first tranch of four SF-60 aircraft were already given to the PAF last Oct. 12. The second, also comprising four units, is slated for turnover today to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in simple ceremonies at the 410th PAF Maintenance Wing in Pampanga.

“The new units are in F models or versions and marked as SF-260FH designed for the PAF,” the PAF said.

“It’s the kind of aircraft owned by Tom Cruise,” Aerotech chief operating officer Teresa Parian told The STAR last March when former Defense secretary Norberto Gonzalez inspected the plant where the aircraft were being assembled.

Aerotech is an accredited supplier not only of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but also of the Philippine National Police.

The initial batch of four aircrafts was supposed to have been turned over last June, but this was delayed.

“The propeller-driven Alenia Aemacchi SF-260 is the world’s most successful screener and primary trainer. Fully aerobatic by design, the SF-260 offers flight characteristics and performance level that allow effective pilot candidates screening early in the program and minimizes the costs incurred when students wash out on jets or complex turbo props,” the PAF said.

“The SF-260 trainer aircraft is in service with 27 different military customers, civil professional flying schools and private operations worldwide with 1,000 units in flight operations,” it added.

According to the PAF, the fleet has flown almost two million hours and the latest customers include the Italian Air Force with 30 new SF-260EA and the re-commissioning of the Libyan SF-260WL fleet.