Various defense and military equipment worth more than $2.3 million were turned over by the United States government to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday, May 2.
The equipment grant arrived at Clark Air Base in Pampanga via a US KC-10A aircraft and were inspected by supply officers from the AFP major services.
Among those turned over to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) were laser designation systems forward air controller, air field operations and logistics support, defense advanced Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, C-130 aircraft spares, and precision-guided munition tool kits.
The Philippine Army (PA) also received tactical network rover and various support equipment while the Philippine Navy (PN) accepted various weapon support equipment.
In total, the equipment grant was worth $2,304,728.39 or around P121 million.
“The AFP continues to make great strides in strengthening our counter-terrorism capabilities with new and modern equipment such as the latest grants from the United States,” said General Andres Centino, AFP Chief of Staff.
The equipment were acquired as grants under the US Counter-Terrorism (CT) and Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programs.
Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of AFP public affairs office, said the CT and FMF are annual grants provided by the US Government to the Philippines in accordance with its continuing commitment to assist the AFP in its capability upgrade program.
The US Government authorizes the provision of its various security assistance programs to the AFP in line with the Philippines - United States Military Assistance Agreement of 1947, he explained.