President Rodrigo Duterte authorized the acquisition of 15 Black Hawk helicopters for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
According to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, the move is “part of plans to slowly address the growing heli-lift deficiency” in the AFP and to “decommission all Huey helicopters.”
This will also replace old helicopters of the military to prevent accidents which sometimes result in the death of troops. The country is in need of 76 helicopters, the purchase of 55 units of which has been earlier approved by the president.
However, the number dropped to 15 due to the crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At least magsisimula na iyong negotiations (At least the negotiations will start). And hopefully, if that order is placed and finalized by 2022, then, hopefully iyong (the) delivery will come forthwith,” Cab Sec. Nograles said.
“We don’t know if it will come before the president physically steps down by June 30, or baka mamanahin ng bagong pangulo (or will be passed on to the new president). Again, it’s lot of things that need to still be discussed and ironed out,” he added. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
