DND awaits funds to buy attack helicopters

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of National Defense (DND) is waiting for funds to bankroll the planned acquisition of a fleet of brand-new attack helicopters, an official said yesterday.

President Duterte promised wounded soldiers during a recent visit at the Philippine Army Hospital in Taguig City that he would purchase 23 brand new attack helicopters that will help and support them in fighting the terrorists and other known enemies of the state. 

Director Arsenio Andolong, defense spokesman said  big-ticket projects under Horizon 2 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP), which includes the acquisition of the attack helicopters, has no approved budget for contract as yet.

“We have programmed the procurement of 24 attack helicopters. We are now awaiting the final approval of the Office of the President on the RAFPMP Second Horizon,” Andolong said. 

But since the President had already announced the procurement of attack helicopters, funding for the project could be forthcoming any time soon, Andolong said. 

But even with an approved budget and procurement processes completed, a Camp Aguinaldo insider said delivery of these attack helicopters would take years to complete.

 “Buying these air assets is not that simple as if you’re just buying something from a marketplace. You have to forge a deal with a defense contractor, before any of these aircraft are manufactured by a defense manufacturer,” he said.