Philippines to acquire 10 new attack helicopters

Zebra

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Jul. 18, 2012 - 02:36PM |
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

MANILA — The Philippines will acquire 10 attack helicopters starting next year in a bid to boost the capabilities of the poorly equipped military, an air force spokesman said July 18.

Italy, Britain, France, Russia and South Africa are all being eyed to supply the helicopters, Lt. Col. Miguel Okol said, although he declined to specify which models were being considered.

The brand new machines will upgrade the fleet of U.S.-made MG-520 light attack helicopters that the air force has been using since the 1990s.

"What we are going to get are armed attack helicopters ... that can carry more payload than the MG-520," Okol told AFP.

He declined to specify the cost of the acquisition but said the government had already allocated the required funds.

The new aircraft will be used for "internal security operations, border security and support operations," he said.

The Philippines is battling communist insurgents in rural areas throughout the archipelago, as well as Muslim extremists in the troubled southern regions.

In recent months, tensions have also risen with China over conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea, but Okol said the acquisition of the attack helicopters was unrelated. :rofl:

The tensions with China have highlighted the weakness of the Philippine military, which is one of the most poorly equipped in the region, relying largely on surplus U.S. equipment.

The Philippines has been refurbishing its aging MG-520 helicopters, other military sources said.

The country has recently been stepping up its modernization efforts and plans to acquire new fighter-trainer jets and attack and transport planes by 2014, the defense secretary said earlier.

Philippines to acquire 10 new attack helicopters | Defense News | defensenews.com
 

Thai

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Isn't SOKOL helicopter ? In necessary case, Philippines should ask some stronger countries for an armed program like Lend-Lease aid in WW2 !
 

Ray

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It would have been better to have Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles.
 

fzaq

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Isn't SOKOL helicopter ? In necessary case, Philippines should ask some stronger countries for an armed program like Lend-Lease aid in WW2 !
In recent months, tensions have also risen with China over conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea, but Okol said the acquisition of the attack helicopters was unrelated.
we're not in war
 

Kunal Biswas

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The will go for the same what Taiwan & India has gone for AH-64D Long bow..
 

Armand2REP

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Philippines can't afford Apache... here is their option:

 
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Apollyon

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I dont think production line of Super Cobra is open, USMC have moved on to Viper ... may be they will buy some Super Cobra from US reserves (most likely) and some Hellfires with them will do the job .. :)
 

Kunal Biswas

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Hellfire is one good reason, It have good Anti - Ship capability ( Against pirates )
 

Kunal Biswas

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Btw, I should add US is producing 690 airframes of AH-64..

That is lots of number, Indian owns 44 from 690..
 

asianobserve

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PH economic renaissance cannot be fully exploited by the military (in terms of high tech purchases) until at least 10 years. This is because the No. 1 priority under their Constitution is education. Any attempt to increase their military's budget without increasing the educational budget would be illegal for their government. So for their military to have a bigger budget the Philippines needs to generate bigger income.
 

Armand2REP

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You guys are missing the tender, it is for armed LUH... not medium/heavy attack choppers.
 

tony4562

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The phillipines is not at war with China, why not buy this instead, absolutely the best-looking attack helicopter out there.
 

fzaq

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the requirement is for twin engined helicopter
 

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