Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of the Philippine Army. (Photo from the PA Facebook account)
MANILA, Philippines — Japan will donate UH-1J Huey multirole helicopters to the Philippine Army as part of a grant, a top military official said, to boost the Philippines’ limited capabilities and a sign of growing defense ties between both countries.
“Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will give a grant of UH-1J helicopters to the Philippine Army in the coming years,” Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. told the Inquirer.
The UH-1J Huey is the improved Japanese variant of the Bell UH-1 helicopters operated by the Philippine Air Force. Its improvements include a vibration-reduction system, night vision goggle-compatible cockpit and infrared countermeasures.