Basler Turbo Conversions Offers Two MPA and Two Gunship Aircraft to Philippines

13 September 2017

BT-67 FLIR Gunship aircraft (photo : Zenon Sanchez)

Basler Turbo Conversions offers gunship, patrol aircraft to Philippines

Basler Turbo Conversions, a Wisconsin, USA based company, is offering two BT-67 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and two BT-67 FLIR Gunship for the Department of National Defense (DND) Long Range Patrol Aircraft (LRPA) acquisition program for Philippine Air Force (PAF), Basler’s country representative Rene Abad said.

The LRPA acquisition program has an Approved Budget for Contract (ABC) of PHP5,976,000,000.00 for 2 brand new aircraft, however, in July, the bidding for the said project failed.

BT-67 is a remanufactured and modified Douglas DC-3/C-47 fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft.

“This offer can be an affordable and a fast implementation solution to the long running PAF LRPA acquisition saga,” Basler said in a statement. “The Basler BT-67’s affordability and capabilities as a Multi Mission Aircraft will enable the Philippines to buy more of the aircraft, or use the savings to buy other needed defense equipment.”

“Both the BT-67 Maritime Patrol version and the BT-67 FLIR Gunship version can do aerial maritime/ground monitoring and patrol, using the FLIR ball sensors that is common to both,” it said. “The FLIR Gunship carries additional weapons, while the Maritime Patrol version carries additional sensors and electronics.”

Basler added that aircraft being offered are capable of conducting of up to 8 hours of aerial maritime patrol over the country’s exclusive economic zone and extended continental shelf.

(Update)