Air Force gets P2.5B worth of helicopter spare parts, equipment from Japan

THE JAPANESE government has donated spare parts and maintenance equipment worth P2.5 billion for the helicopters of the Philippine Air Force (PAF). “This is donated by the Japanese government because they are manufacturing these spare parts under license from the US. Ito mga excess nila (These are their excess production)…. So they thought it is wise to give it to us,” Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana said on March 19. He noted that the PAF has several grounded aircraft due to lack of spare parts needed for repairs. The parts will be used to restore the UH-1H helicopters that are deployed primarily for humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras