1st TC-90 plane due next year

The first of five TC-90 aircraft leased by the Philippines from Japan will arrive early next year, a Philippine Navy official said Sunday.

Navy spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna told reporters that the aircraft might arrive either February or March at Sangley Point in Cavite City.

The Department of National Defense (DND) earlier said the aircraft would be used for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, rescue operations and maritime security patrols.

Two PN pilots and six air crew left for Japan in November to train on the TC-90.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) have been using for sea patrols the TC-90s, which belong to the Beechcraft King Air aircraft family manufactured by Beechcraft Corp. based in Wichita, Kansas.

Japanese and Philippine defense officials signed the lease agreement for the five TC-90s in February last year.

The Philippines will pay Japan $7,000 each for four aircraft yearly and only $200 for the fifth—for a total of $28,200. The lease will be renewable every year.

The DND said the TC-70s would have to be re-equipped as Japan had stripped some of the aircraft’s equipment. —JEROME ANING