Philippines buying C-130s from U.S. for security, disaster relief

MANILA, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- The Philippine military is acquiring C-130 aircraft from the United States and attack helicopters from AgustaWestland as part of a modernization drive.

The two separate deals have a combined value of nearly $58 million.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines will purchase two C-130T aircraft for $55 million from the United States to improve the country's maritime security and interoperability, especially during a disaster," the U.S. Embassy said in a news release.

"As part of a joint investment program to build the capabilities of the Philippine military, the United States is providing $20 million in U.S. foreign military financing toward the purchase."

An agreement for the aircraft was signed recently at the Joint Reserve Naval Air Station in Fort Worth, Texas, by a Philippine military representative during a visit to inspect the transport aircraft.

Delivery of the planes, expected in early 2016, will bring to five the number of C-130 aircraft in operation in the country in military and humanitarian missions, such as airlifting supplies to islands following typhoons.

The Philippines, a former U.S. commonwealth, is engaged in a dispute with China over ownership of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea (called the West Philippine Sea in the Philippines), which is believed to hold possibly rich pockets of oil and natural gas.

It is also battling Maoist insurgents in many parts of the country, and Muslim secessionists and terror groups in its southern region.

According to the U.S. Embassy, Washington last year allocated $50 million in foreign military financing to the the Armed Forces of the Philippines for modernizing equipment on ships, improving command-and-control systems and for advanced technical training.

"This is another example of how the close partnership between U.S. and Philippine forces is helping build further capacity that will benefit the entire nation," the embassy said.

The Philippines recently announced its intention to procure naval vessels, including frigates, helicopters and other equipment as part of a phased military capability enhancement program.

In another development, the official Philippine News Agency reports that two AgustaWestland AW-109 attack helicopters have been delivered to the country and government inspection.

The helicopters arrived at the end of last month.

There is "no date of commissioning yet, but the target is to be in time or prior to the 117th Navy Day celebrations this coming May," a Navy spokesman was quoted as saying.

The Philippines ordered the helicopters in 2013 in a $2.9 million deal for five aircraft. Three were delivered earlier.

The AW-109 has a speed of 177 mph. The Philippines plans to arm the helicopters with machine guns, 20mm cannon and possibly rockets, the agency said.