Philippines preparing work on new air base
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| A scale model of the PAF's development plan for the Lumbia Air Base. Photo c/o CDODev.com. |
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has started preparations to establish a new air force base in the country's southern region, as part of its full take-over of the old civilian Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao.
The airport will become the future home of the PAF's 15th Strike Wing, which is being relocated from its base in Danilo Atienza Air Base near Manila in Cavite City. The said base will be converted into a civilian small aircraft airport by the Philippine government in an effort to decongest its main international airport in Manila.
Being a former civilian airport, the redevelopment involves the construction of several facilities including new hangars and maintenance structures, administrative and military buildings and structures, improvement of existing infrastructure to suit military aircraft operations, and increasing security and defensive capabilities.
The project will be undertaken under a Public Bidding, with a working budget of PHP974,549,400.00 (aroun US$18 million). It is unknown though it this would be for the entire development, or just a certain phase of a multi-phased program, as it was reported that the PAF has already started construction work on billeting facilities for the PAF personnel.
The 15th Strike Wing is the PAF's main unit providing air support and ground attack missions. It currently has attack aircraft like the Rockwell OV-10 Bronco and Marchetti SF-260TP light aircraft, and armed helicopters like the McDonnell Douglas MD-520MG Defender and AgustaWestland AW109E Power. The unit is expected to receive the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano ordered in 2017 by December 2019, and Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters donated by the Jordanian government in 2017 by June 2019.
[1] Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System
[2] MaxDefense Philippines
[3] CDODev.com
Philippines preparing work on new air base
Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal
on
February 17, 2019
Rating:
Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal
on
February 17, 2019
Rating:
Will that be a loan from China? Designed by the Chinese? To be built by Chinese laborers? To nest planes and arms made from China? And to defend not the Filipino but Chinese interests in our WPS economic zones and in Benham Rise?
ReplyDeleteSo that will become nothing but a Chinese base in the Philippines!