Philippines inducts 3rd Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan surveillance aircraft

The new C-208B Grand Caravan EX ISR aircraft of the PAF. Photo c/o Inquirer.net.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has inducted its third Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan EX intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft on19 September 2023.

The induction ceremony was held in Clark Air Base in Pampanga province, with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. being the guest of honor. The Joint US Military Assistance Group – Philippines (JUSMAG-P) chief Col. Edward R Evans USAF was also present and officially turned-over the aircraft to Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S Brawner PA and Philippine Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen P Parreno PAF.

The aircraft was provided to the Philippines as a grant by the United States Government, which would allow the PAF to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance in support of internal security, territorial defense, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.

The PAF received two Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan EX ISR aircraft from the United States Government in 2017, with all three aircraft to be operated by the PAF’s 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing.

It has a range of 912 nautical miles, and an endurance of more than 5 hours, and is equipped with an L3Harris Wescam MX-15D airborne electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) tracking and designating system, and an L3Harris RF-7800M Falcon III tactical communications radio system.

According to the US Government, the Philippines is the largest receiver of US military aid in the Pacific region, and this may continue as the two countries further improve their defense relations under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

[1] Philippine Air Force
[2] MaxDefense Philippines
[3] Philippine News Agency