The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) acquired a Short Brothers & Harland SD3-30 transport aircraft which was donated by a mining company on Friday, April 1.
Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of the AFP public information office, said the Short Sherpa aircraft was turned over by the Semirara Mining and Power Corporation to the Philippine Army (PA) in a ceremony held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City.
"Donating the Short SD3-30 Sherpa aircraft is the most sustainable means of developing the Philippine Army's aviation force aside from procurement. Likewise, this will greatly impact the accomplishments of the unit's mission of providing aviation support to its ground forces," said Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Cardozo Luna during the ceremony.
The twin-engine turbo-prop aircraft has a maximum speed of 291 kilometers per hour and can accommodate 27 passengers. It has an overall length of 58 feet and a wingspan of 74 feet and eight inches.
The aircraft currently has 10,846 + 24 hours with a total cycle of 15,141. It is fitted with Pratt & Whitney PT6-45R engines and two Hartzell 5 bladed metal propellers, Baclor said.
The Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, owned by the Consunji family, cited in the deed of donation its “desire to assist the Philippine Army in responding to the need of the Filipinos.”
The Philippine Army, on the other hand, expressed its appreciation to Semirara for donating the transport aircraft.
Baclor said the aircraft will be added to the existing air assets of the Philippine Army which will enhance its capability to provide air support to its ground troops.