Philippines eyeing P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft from US

A P-3C Orion MPA of the US Navy. Photo c/o Airpower World.

The Philippines Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana confirmed that the defense department is interested in acquiring Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft from the US. The aircraft would be most likely for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Sec. Lorenzana mentioned that they are  looking at one or two aircraft from the US excess defense articles (EDA) since the US Navy has started retiring its P-3C Orions in favor of the new Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

He also mentioned that they are only after "fully kitted" aircraft which can conduct the maritime patrol role, and will not be interested in a stripped-down model.

The Philippines is lacking maritime surveillance platforms to cover its massive territorial and exclusive economic zones. 

The PAF has a pending acquisition program for 2 maritime patrol aircraft after a failed attempt to purchase the Airbus CASA C-295MPA Persuader due to insufficient funding.

The PAF currently has a C-130T Hercules fitted with the SABIR modular system, and two Cessna 208 Grand Caravan ISR aircraft as its primary surveillance assets. The Philippine Navy (PN) also has Beechcraft C-90 King Air provided by the Japanese government used for also for maritime patrols.



[1] GMA News
[2] Business Mirror