PN Accepts 2 Japanese TC-90 Aircraft

27 Maret 2017

Arrival of two units of Beechcraft TC-90 training aircraft from Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) at at Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point in Cavite City on Monday, March 27, 2017 (photo : PNA)

PN formally accepts 2 Japanese TC-90s in Sangley Point ceremony

SANGLEY POINT CAVITE (PNA) -- The Philippine Navy (PN)'s humanitarian and patrol capability got a big boost the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) formally transferred two units of the Beechcraft TC-90 training aircraft Monday morning.

Transfer ceremonies took place at the Naval Air Group headquarters, Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City.

The two aircraft landed at the said facility around 10 a.m.

Present during the transfer ceremony was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and his JSMOD counterpart Kenji Wakamiya.

PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said these aircraft were leased from the JMOD as part of the Navy's efforts to enhance its capability in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, limited transport, and maritime domain awareness including maritime air surveillance and intelligence surveillance reconnaissance.

The whole project involves five units of TC-90s. The remaining three units are expected to arrive by mid-2018.

Last November, two PN pilots and six air crews left for Japan to start their TC-90 flight training.

The Department of National Defense (DND) earlier announced that the Philippines will be re-equipping the TC-90s as Japan have stripped of some its equipment, including its surveillance systems.

The country will pay Japan USD7,000 each for the first four aircraft yearly and only USD200 for the fifth, or total of USD28,200 as stipulated in its lease agreement.

The DND added it is also looking at the possibility of using the TC-90 for 20 years while the military is upgrading its equipment.

The TC-90, which is part of the Beechcraft King Air aircraft family, was offered by Japan shortly after the Agreement Concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology was finalized last Feb. 29, 2016.

The TC-90's patrol range is double those of small Philippine aircraft which only has a maximum range of 300 kilometers. (PNA)

The two TC-90A aircraft, with tail nos. JN6822 and JN6824 (photo : Maxdefense)

Japanese TC-90s likely to be donated to PN soon

SANGLEY POINT, Cavite (PNA) -- There is a strong possibility that all five Japanese Beech King Air TC-90s will be donated to the Philippine Navy (PN) at a later day.

This was stressed by PN spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna during the sidelights of the turn over ceremonies of the two TC-90 aircraft in Sangley Point, Cavite Monday.

"The whole project, which involves five units of TC-90s, is pursuant to the agreement between the Philippines and Japan signed in Manila on Feb. 29, 2016. The remaining three units are expected to arrive by the end of March 2018. The PN will temporarily lease the said aircraft amounting to USD 28,000 per year while awaiting for the legal framework that would allow Japan to donate defense equipment to foreign countries," he added.

The TC-90s were leased by the Philippines from the Japan Minister of Defense as part of the efforts to boost the PN's capability in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, limited transport, and maritime domain awareness including maritime air surveillance and intelligence surveillance reconnaissance.

In line with this, two Naval Air Group instructor pilots are currently undergoing TC-90 transition for pilot in command, test pilot and instructor pilot training in Tokushima, Japan, while six more PN personnel composing the aircraft maintenance crew are also undergoing maintenance training in Sendai and Tokushima. (PNA)