DND: UH-1H spare parts from Japan likely in first quarter of 2019

PHOTO FROM EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN MANILA

The transfer of the spare parts of UH-1H Huey helicopters from Japan is tentatively scheduled in the first quarter of 2019, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Thursday.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda on Wednesday signed the exchange of notes on the grant aid for spare parts and maintenance equipment for the Hueys amounting to P5 billion.

The spare parts and maintenance equipment covers the following: airframe structure; dynamic power system, control system; rotor system; hydraulic system; electrical system; instrument system; accessory equipment; and others.

“Following the Exchange of Notes, the DND and the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) will coordinate and finalize the details and schedule of the transfer,” the DND said in a statement.

The Vietnam War-vintage Huey helicopters are the workhorse of the Philippine military’s air operations. It is often used for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, transport, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance

In a separate statement, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines said it hoped that “the equipment transfer will contribute to further cooperation between Japan and the Philippines in such area as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as well as maritime security.”  /kga