PHL Receives Helicopters from Canada, Landing Craft from S. Korea

The Philippines has finally received two brand-new Canadian-built helicopters and a surplus South Korean transport vessel as it pushes through with a long-delayed military modernization program, military spokesmen said Thursday.

Two Bell 412EP helicopters were delivered last week, the first of an eight-helicopter order, said air force spokesman Colonel Enrico Canaya.

Bell Helicopters, an American rotorcraft company headquartered in Texas with production facilities in US and Canada is one of the leading rotorcraft providers for civilian and military use.

The utility helicopters are undergoing technical inspection before they join the military’s fleet to carry cargo and troops, Canaya added.

The rest of the order will arrive before the end of the year, supplementing the military’s fleet of ageing “Huey” helicopters.

The new helicopters will be included in the aerial fleet of Philippine Navy and to be used mainly on transport and supply.

Meanwhile, a surplus landing craft donated by South Korea, was also delivered to the Philippines, navy spokesman Commander Lued Lincuna said.

The 41-meter (135-foot) long vessel will be used primarily for relief operations in the disaster-prone country, he added.

The landing craft, which came with 16 inflatable dinghies, can carry about a hundred troops and will be used for transport purposes in the archipelagic nation. The said craft can land on ports and shallow waters in beaches.

The South Korean embassy confirmed the boat had been delivered last month and was part of its efforts to assist the cash-strapped Philippines which has one of the weakest militaries in the region.

The arrival of the said equipment is not related to ongoing tensions with China in the disputed South China Sea according to both military spokespersons.

The Philippines is expecting to receive the first two of twelve FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea in the last quarter of this year. Japan and Indonesia are also scheduled to deliver patrol crafts and heavy sealift on the second quarter of 2016.

/Carla Gamboa/

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