|
The Philippine Air Force will buy 18 trainer planes from Italian
aircraft manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi for P625 million, an air
force spokesman said Saturday.
The contract for the 18 SF260 trainer planes
includes pilot, technical, and maintenance training, spare parts
support and other after sales services support, said Lieutenant
Jonelle Beltran.
The planes are scheduled to be delivered in
batches starting June next year and will be used for pilot training,
he added.
Under the terms of the contract, Alenia
Aermacchi will transfer some parts production technology and
aircraft assembly to its local partner, distributor, and authorized
service station, Aerotech Industries Philippines Inc., Beltran
added.
The Philippines has one of the most poorly
equipped air forces in the region. While the government has sought
to modernize its equipment, it has been hampered by a lack of funds.
During the pre-martial law years, the Air Force
was the pride of the Philippines, since it had in its inventory the
latest generation of combat aircraft, like the F-8s and the F-5s.
-- AFP
|
