PAF to get 6 light attack planes after retiring old Broncos, choppers

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will acquire six brand new A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to boost the military’s surveillance and counterinsurgency missions following the retirement of the last two remaining Rockwell OV-10 Bronco light attack aircraft and two Cobra attack helicopters.

PAF 15th Strike Wing commander Brig. Gen. Juliano Llarenas said during the decommissioning ceremony over the weekend that a contract was signed for six additional Super Tucano aircraft on Dec. 27.

“Hopefully, the notice to proceed will be issued today,” he said during the ceremony on Saturday at Sangley Point in Cavite City, which was aired live on Facebook. He did not provide details.

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Brazil’s Embraer SA delivered the first batch of six Super Tucano aircraft for the PAF worth P4.698 billion in 2020. But even with the additional aircraft, the PAF has a long way to go to reclaim its title of being the finest in the Asean region.

Lack of funds

Over the years, its air assets have declined with no replacements coming in due to funding problems and the painstaking process involved in the country’s military modernization program.

The last two OV-10 Broncos retired over the weekend were operated by the 15th Strike Wing, which is responsible for tactical and close air support for the military’s ground operations. The PAF unit used to operate over 30 aircraft, which were acquired from the United States and Thailand, making the OV-10 its stalwart workhorse since the 1990s.

The two AH-1S Cobras, the PAF’s first pair of dedicated attack helicopters, were donated by the Kingdom of Jordan only in 2019. These were previously operated by the Royal Jordanian Air Force and Israeli Air Force.

Sourcing spare parts, however, became a challenge in maintaining the ageing air assets, prompting the PAF leadership to decide to finally retire them, Llarenas said in his speech.

“We do not mourn an end but celebrate a legacy. Their decommissioning marks the culmination of years or decades of steadfast service and heralds a new era of innovation and progress built upon the foundation of their enduring contribution to our nation’s defense,” he said.

The Philippines was one of the last operators of the legendary Vietnam War vintage OV-10s, which patrolled the West Philippine Sea and saw action in numerous internal security operations against the New People’s Army and Abu Sayyaf Group, including the Marawi siege in 2017. INQ