Philippine Air Force to get 12 new jet fighters
The Philippine Air Force will have supersonic capabilities as its first two jet fighters ordered from South Korea will arrive at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Friday.
“This is historic because this is the first time we will have jet fighters since we decommissioned our jets in 2005. It will be the first time we will have a supersonic capability,” said Air Force spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya on Tuesday.
The Philippines has acquired 12 FA-50 Golden Eagle jet fighters from Korean Aerospace Inc. under the military’s modernization program, and is the biggest military upgrade so far. The jets cost P18.9 billion.
The rest of the fighter jets are scheduled to be delivered in two years.
In 2005, the Air Force retired its Northrop F-5s.
Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado will lead the welcome ceremonies and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin was also invited.
The two-seater fighter jets will be piloted by Korean pilots. An official turnover will be held later on, said Canaya.
The fighter jets would still have to undergo technical inspection and acceptance flights before it would be turned over to the Air Force.
The Air Force sent three of its pilots to South Korea early this year to undergo training in operating the fighter jets. CDG
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