MANILA, Philippines – Tatlong naval helicopters ang inaasahang dumating sa bansa sa susunod na taon matapos magkapirmahan ng contract of agreement sa pagitan ng Armed Forces of the Philippines at supplier na AugustaWestland S.P.A.
Ayon sa Department of National Defense (DND) nagkakahalaga ang tatlong rotary wing aircraft ng P1.34 milyon. Ang pagbili ng naturang mga helicopter ay alinsunod sa Government Procurement Reform Act, anang DND.
Noong Disyembre 4 ay inilabas ng DND ang notice of award sa AugustaWestland matapos itong mapili ng Naval Helicopter Acquisition Project Negotiating Committee bilang may pinakamagandang kasunduan.
“The acquisition of these naval helicopters is one concrete step towards the fulfillment of our goal to modernize the Philippine Navy, and our Armed Forces in general,” pahayag ng kalihim ng DND na si Voltaire Gazmin.
Ang AW 109 Power Helicopters ay may dalawang makina, walang upuan at maaring tumipad sa bilis na 177 miles per hour.
“With the other projects in the pipeline and our planned acquisition, we are now louder and clearer in our intent to upgrade the capability of our AFP to address its constitutional duty to 'secure the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of the national territory’,” sabi ni Gazmin.