17 December 2020
“Contrary to reports, the purchase of Russia made helicopter was already in the minds of the AFP Technical Working Group (TWG) since 2013 as it was very effective in humanitarian assistance,” says Lorenzana.
Lorenzana disclosed that government saw logistics difficulty in bringing relief supplies to Typhoon hit areas of Northern Luzon and Bicol region in November after it was hit by three successive and strong typhoons.
“The PAF has detailed data on EU and US made helicopters. So comparison was made on those data readily available. It didn't have enough technical data with Russian helicopters then, referring to the revised modernization program. But now everything changes after Russia provided it to them in 2016, so it was one of the recommendation.”
Lorenzana stressed that AFP Modernization program can be changed.
“Nothing is set in stone. As a matter of fact, the black hawks was not there in the revised plan. It was supposed to be the Bell 412, yet here they are, ” says the Defense Chief.
Meanwhile, the PAF will complete its acceptance of 16 units Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters acquired from Polish company Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze Sp.z.o.o and manufactured under license from Sikorsky USA for a contract price of USD241 million.
Polskie Zaklady Lotnicze started delivery last month of six Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters. The remaining 10 orders will arrive in the country in the first quarter of next year.
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