MANILA, Philippines –
Yesterday, representatives of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) led by
Major General Victor Bayani, Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, conducted a
second inspection of two U.S. C-130 aircraft at the Joint Reserve Naval Air
Station in Fort Worth Texas. Following this inspection, General Bayani
officially signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance on behalf of the government of the Philippines to procure
the aircraft, with an anticipated delivery date in the first quarter of 2016.
The sale of the two C-130s is part of the U.S. Government’s
commitment to help the Philippines develop its territorial defense and maritime
security capabilities, as well as enhance its ability to respond to humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief emergencies, which routinely occur in the
Philippines.
The C-130 is designed to provide significant airlift capabilities, even to
remote under-developed airfields. This remarkable aircraft proved to be a
critical lifesaving tool in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda, moving large
numbers of people and humanitarian relief supplies in the affected areas. These
additional aircraft from the United States will increase the number of
mission-ready C-130s in the Philippine Air Force to five, significantly
expanding the number and capacity of existing medium lift aircraft.
The total value of this procurement is projected to be about $55 million.
As part of a joint investment program to build the capabilities of the
Philippine Military, the U.S. is providing $20 million in U.S. Foreign Military
Financing (FMF) towards this purchase.
In 2014 alone, the United States allocated a total of $50 million in FMF
for the AFP. In addition to the C-130s, these funds will be used to help upgrade
equipment onboard Philippine Navy ships, improve AFP Command and Control
systems, provide advanced technical training, and strengthen institutions
responsible for the maintenance and sustainment of the AFP’s growing inventory.
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.