It is expected that more military aircraft will be added for the Philippine Air Force despite the tragedy in Jolo, Sulu, where a C-130 cargo plane that was supposed to deliver soldiers to the area this weekend crashed.
Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana at the Pre-SONA Media Launch Virtual Presser said there are new planes the government will buy for the soldiers.
“Mayroon tayong naka-program na 2 brand new C-130. Na-approve na ito ng Congress noon, at inaayos natin ang papeles nito at dokumento para sa procurement,” said Lorenzana.
“Naririyan din iyong dalawang C-295 na mas maliit na transport plane na ayos na rin ang kontrata niyan, at saka apat na N212 na galing sa Indonesia na mas maliit na transport plane. So, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang pag-aangkat natin ng mga eroplano,” he added.
Apart from this, the Philippine Air Force is said to be finalizing the contract this year for the procurement of fighter jets as well.
Lorenzana admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the administration’s AFP modernization program because the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force equipment procurement was delayed.
Military buys 2 new C-130 cargo planes
However, the government is recovering from this program, especially as it is important to increase the military’s capacity to deliver personnel, supplies, and other equipment to areas currently prone to pandemics.
“So tuloy-tuloy iyan. Iyong ating 2nd phase ng ating modernization ay hanggang 2022. Siguro, ang aking ma-accomplish diyan before the year ends, bago iyong horizon na iyon, magawa natin na 70 to 80 percent ng target natin sa modernization,” said Lorenzana.
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco promised that he would push for the Philippine Air Force fleet modernization after 50 people died in the Sulu C-130 cargo plane crash.
“I can only give my word that we in the House of Representatives will include in the 2022 budget the modernization of the PAF’s fleet as well as ensure the proper training of personnel in handling modern equipment,” Velasco added.
Velasco said the 2021 national budget was supposed to include funds to purchase more C-130 cargo planes. However, Congress did not have enough time to deliberate when he took over in October 2020.
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