For the LIFT planes the options include TA-50 Golden Eagle, M-346 Master, Yak-130 Mitten, and L-159B ALCA. For the SAA planes the options inculde AT-6B Texan II, EMB 314 Super Tucano, KA-1 Wongbee, andAir Tractor AT-802U. (photo : network54)
PAF getting new planes
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) --
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is planning to revive the famed "Blue
Diamond" Squadron as soon as it acquires new aircraft capable of defending
the country's airspace and humanitarian missions.
This was learned from PAF spokesman Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol
in an exlusive interview at Villamor Air Base (VAB) in Pasay City
“We have identified our needs through our capability upgrade
program (CUP) and Defense Acquisition System (DAS) as identified by Defense
Secretary Voltaire Gazmin,” Okol told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
Okol said the highest priority is the revival of the
country’s Air Defense System (ADS) which is in the form of Lead-in Fighter
Trainers (LIFT)-Surface Attack Aircraft (SAA) role to be used for territorial
defense as well as infrastructure.
He said the PAF is expected to acquire new planes July 2012.
These include TA-50 Golden Eagle (Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) of South Korea ; M-346 Master - Alenia Aermacchi (Italy ); Yak-130 Mitten - Yakovlev Design Bureau
(Russia ); and L-159B ALCA -
Aero Vodochody (Czech
Republic
Okol said the PAF is also looking to replace its entire
OV-10 Bronco fleet which is currently used for close air support and aerial
reconnaissance platforms.
Being considered are the Hawker Beechcraft AT-6B Texan II,
Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, KAI KA-1 Woongbi, and, reportedly, the Air
Tractor Air Tractor AT-802U.
Hawker Beechcraft demonstrated their AT-6B Texan II, together
with their other aircraft line, on April 2012 with a display at Clark Air Base
PAF retired its fleet of Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter
with a ceremony on October 1, 2005. The F-5s were used by the PAF's Blue
Diamonds aerobatics team and have appeared in several films and television
programs shot in the Philippines
Okol said PAF is prioritizing the resurgence of its
capability by acquiring leading multi-role fighter jets and other aircraft with
disaster response capability. “If we already have a hundred fighter planes then
we can revive the Blue Diamonds,” he said.
In June 2010, the Department of National Defense (DND) was
also looking at Canada for
used CF-18s or France
The PAF official said a country’s precision aerobatics team
carries the type of a combat aircraft of a nation.
The United
States
Recently, PAF acquired multi-role helicopters worth P 2.8
billion which the Philippines
The new W-3 Sokol (Falcon) helicopters are used for combat
support as well as disaster relief missions.
“Our pilots are already training for the use of four of
these newly acquired aircraft in time for the rainy season,” Okol said.
(PAF/RJB/JCA-PIA NCR)
(PIA)
the SAA (surface attack aircraft) and OV-10 replacement projects are different projects. The Super Tucano vs AT-6 vs KT-1 vs Air Tractor is part of the OV-10 replacement program.
BalasHapusI think it's more likely that PAF would go with South Korea's T/A-50 & F/A-50. It would be a good LIFT and lead in fighter with the potential to get the into some more advance fighters down the road. To replace their OV-10's I'm betting 60:100 that they will go with a Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano over the T-6A, only because it's combat proven and has experience to boot.
BalasHapusNow for their Multi-role fighter, if they can't get a used F-16 or used F/A-18 C/D from the US. Then they should be looking at a used Mirage 2000 or F-1 from France. The other would be to get a used MIG-29 from Russia.
If PAF wanted a brand new fighter and money was tight, I would say go to Taiwan and look at getting the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo. I believe the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching-kuo piced at $24 million per copy would be something that Taiwan would be looking at
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The F/A-50 is the choice DND philippines has identified for the Philippine Air Force needs.. 12 of them are in negotiation now, for the all true Multi Role Fighter jet, I am at the choice of the SAAB Gripen NG it is the only affordable choice DND philippines can afford.. Of how many of them to be purchase probably 12 to 24 of them...
BalasHapusF/A-50 is a two birds in one shot Combat aircraft that will provide a good balance of an advanced supersonic trainer (LIFT) and a capable Multi Role Fighter for PAF..Good decision by PAF if the deal for F/A-50 will really push thru..
BalasHapusFor PAF surface attack aircraft(SAA) the best candidate would be SU-25/39..Proven in Afghanistan and Chechnya war the capability of SU-25/39 is something that will full fill the requirements of PAF as a true SAA.
BalasHapusDND and Philippine Air Force are currently in negotiations for for an immediate purchase of two F/A-50s to be delivered ASAP; It is of utmost importance that the two Jet Aircraft for LIFT/SAA operation be introduce to Philippine Air Force service ASAP.. So the young Filipino Air Force pilots will get to know the new plane, learn its advance avionic suite and other advance ordnance that can be integrated to the F/A-50 Aircraft this will give Filipino Air Force Pilots the new skills in 21st century equipments a step forward to possibly acquiring a full squadron of all true Multi Role Fighter jets.. The likes of JAS39 Gripen NG or Typhoon, or The Su-35 Flanker Es...
BalasHapusF/A-50 is a wise choice by PAF. It is supersonic like F-16.
BalasHapus