MANILA — The Department of National Defense (DND) thanked the Jordanian government for the two Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters it gave to the Philippines, noting these will be a big help in the military’s ongoing campaign against internal security threats.
“The DND thanks the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for supporting the ongoing capability upgrade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Friday.
“The Cobra helicopters, in particular, will help in the AFP’s ongoing campaign against terrorism and violent extremism,” Andolong said.
The Bell AH-1 Cobra is a two-blade, single-engine attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter.
It was developed using the engine, transmission and rotor system of the Bell UH-1 Iroquois.
A member of the prolific Huey family, the AH-1 is also referred to as the Huey Cobra or Snake.
Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher “Bong” Go said Thursday the Philippines will get two Cobra helicopters from Jordan.
The helicopters will be delivered in July next year after the training of Filipino pilots.
Go made the confirmation as the DND and the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, signed the MOU on Thursday during the three-day official visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Jordan. (/PNA)
