From the Business Mirror (Mar 16): AFP to buy anti-submarine helicopters from SoKor
THE military will be acquiring helicopters for anti-submarine warfare as the Department of National Defense is expected to sign the contract next week for the delivery of the 12 lead-in fighter jets from South Korea.
Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin said they are set to sign also next week for the delivery of two combat utility helicopters from Canada.
The acquisition of anti-submarine helicopters was disclosed on Sunday by President Aquino during the graduation ceremony at the Philippine Military Academy.
Gazmin said the anti-submarine helicopters are new in the armaments of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), as he himself was also not familiar with the assets. “I’ll refer you to the technical people,” he told reporters when asked about the choppers.
He added that the bidding process for the assets has yet to begin.
On the fighter jets, Gazmin said the signing of the contract for the delivery of a squadron of FA-50 from the Korea Aerospace Industries will take place next week, with the first jet expected to be delivered next year.
The jets should boost the air power of the AFP, which no longer has a jet fighter, as the last of its F-5s is no longer in its service.