Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed Wednesday, July 7, that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will procure additional aircraft to boost the fleet of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
Lorenzana made the remark during a pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) forum where he was asked on the adjustments that will be made by the military in terms of improving its fleet following the tragic C-130 plane crash in Sulu last July 4.
"Tuloy-tuloy ang pag-angkat ng mga eroplano (The procurement of airplanes will continue)," he said.
Among the planned acquisitions include two brand new Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, three C-295 command and control fixed-wing aircraft, and four NC212 light lift fixed-wing aircraft.
"Mayroon tayong nakaprogram na dalawang brand new C-130s, approved na ito ng Congress noon. Inaayos na ang papeles at documents for procurement (We have a programmed acquisition of two brand new C-130s which was approved by the Congress before. We are now fixing the papers and documents for the procurement)," the Defense Chief said.
"Mayroon din tatlong C-295, 'yong mas maliit na transport plane at ayos na ang contract niyan. May apat na NC212 na galing sa Indonesia, ito ang pinakamaliit na transport plane (We also have three C-295 which was a smaller transport plane and the contract for its acquisition is already fixed. We have four NC212 from Indonesia which is the smallest of the transport planes)," he added.
Lorenzana did not provide further details on the procurements although he noted these are part of the second "horizon" of the AFP's revised modernization program.
"Tuluy-tuloy ang second phase ng modernization hanggang 2022. Siguro ma-a-accomplish natin before ang 70 to 80 percent ng target natin sa Horizon 2 bago ito matapos (The second phase of the modernization continues until 2022. Maybe we would be able to accomplish around 70 to 80 percent of our target under the Horizon 2 before it ends)," he said.
Last year, the Department of National Defense (DND) acquired two C-130 planes for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) worth P2.5 billion through a foreign military funding (FMF) program.
One of the C-130s (tail number 5125) was delivered on January 29 of this year but crashed last July 4 in Patikul, Sulu, killing more than 50 individuals. The second unit is yet to be delivered.
After the crash, the fleet of the C-130 was grounded.
Last month, a Blackhawk chopper also crashed in Capas, Tarlac which resulted in the death of six PAF personnel and the grounding of its fleet.
The grounding of C-130 and Blackhawks affected the combat operations and humanitarian activities of the military as assets were limited, according to Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, AFP Chief of Staff.
Aside from transport aircraft, Lorenzana said the PAF also wants to acquire fighter jets.
"Inaayos na nila kung anong proponent ang pipiliin. Harinawa matapos ang kontrata this year para sa susunod na admininstrasyon ay maipatupad ang procurement na 'yan (They are already choosing their proponent. God willing, the contracts shall be finished this year so that the next administration can implement these procurements)," he said.