Philippines plans to acquire 2 warfare choppers

An anti-submarine warfare helicopter of the Pakistan Navy that it acquired from China. PHOTO FROM ASIAN-DEFENCE.COM

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of National Defense is looking into acquiring two new anti-submarine warfare helicopters for the Philippine Navy as part of the military’s upgrade efforts.

“This is part of the modernization program that we will implement in the next five years,” Department of National Defense Undersecretary Fernando Manalo told reporters Monday by phone.

The undersecretary noted, however, that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has yet to issue the consent for the acquisition of the helicopters pending the approval of the AFP Modernization Law.

“Without the modernization law we will have no budget (for this acquisition),” he explained.

The helicopters are planned to be assigned to the Maestrale-class missile-firing frigates from Italy that is to be acquired next year.