Philippines Air Force to get new warplanes by 2014

[Darth Vader]

Agence France Presse

MANILA: The Philippines, which is now embroiled in a territorial dispute with China, is set to acquire new warplanes in two years to upgrade its poorly-equipped air force, the defence minister said Friday.

Attack aircraft, lead-in fighter-trainers, attack helicopters and light and medium transport aircraft were all expected to be delivered within two years, Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said.

Speaking at the 65th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force, Gazmin said “these aircraft shall once and for all, erase the ironic and naughty commentary that our present airforce is all air, devoid of force.” The defence department also plans to sign contracts by July 31 to implement 138 military modernisation projects over the next five years, he added, without saying how much the contracts would cost or who would supply such equipment. The Philippines has one of the most poorly-equipped militaries in the region, having retired the last of its fighter jets in 2005.

The weakness of the military was highlighted when the Philippines got into a standoff with China in April over the Scarborough Shoal, an outcropping of rocks in the South China Sea that both countries claim as their territory.

 

[Luftwaffe]

Philippines has Air Force?

 

[ManilaBoy45]

Philippines has Air Force?

Is that suppose to be a joke or just being sarcastic ...


Philippine Air Force :: Official Website

 

[Saithan]

Apart from that, isn't it more pressing that Philippines get bigger ships for the territorial dispute. Looking at the map and seeing what China is laying claim to pretty much tells us that in 30-50 years there will be a war coming up. airplanes are good, but submarines should also be in philippines arsenal.

how big is the navy, and who do you buy from ?

 

[GR!FF!N]

Apart from that, isn't it more pressing that Philippines get bigger ships for the territorial dispute. Looking at the map and seeing what China is laying claim to pretty much tells us that in 30-50 years there will be a war coming up. airplanes are good, but submarines should also be in philippines arsenal.

how big is the navy, and who do you buy from ?

30-50 years is little bit of more optimistic approach.if China don't attack within that time,that means the problem will be already solved by then.