Philippines receives 1st EDA C-130H Hercules, to sign contract for 2 new C-130J Super Hercules within 2021
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| A C-130J Super Hercules, this example with the US Air Force. Photo c/o Dyess Air Force Base. |
The Philippines has set its sights on signing a contract with American defense company Lockheed Martin for two (2) new C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft by 2021.
During Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana mentioned about this plan during the formal turnover and induction of the first of two upgraded C-130H Hercules tactical transport aircraft to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on 18 February 2021.
Sec. Lorenzana said that despite getting approval for the acquisition of five (5) new C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, funding was only available for two aircraft due to the government’s diversion of funds related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The PAF originally requested for 5 new C-130J Super Hercules with a proposed budget of around Php37 billion (US$800 million in 2020).
The PAF was also programmed to receive two refurbished C-130H Hercules transport aircraft in 2021, with the first one formerly a US Air Force MC-130W Combat Spear special operation aircraft before it was retired, removed of special equipment, and upgraded for transfer to the PAF.
A second C-130H aircraft is scheduled for delivery to the PAF by mid-2021.
Defense Sec. Lorenzana also mentioned of hoping to sign a contract for additional S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters within the year although not much details were provided.
Previously he mentioned that the government plans to acquire 32 more S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to replace the PAF’s ageing fleet of UH-1 Huey combat utility helicopters.
Sec. Lorenzana highlighted the inadequacy of air transport capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, with only limited number of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft available to support the transport of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, virus testing kits, and stranded passengers across the country, while in support of the AFP’s combat and peacetime operations.
The recent handover of the C-130H Hercules raises the PAF’s C-130 fleet to 5 aircraft, although 2 are in various stages of maintenance work and are not available for use.
[1] Inquirer.net
[2] ABS-CBN News
Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal
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February 22, 2021
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