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ManilaBoy45

Junior Member
Airbus Delivers 1st C-295 Aircraft to the Philippines Air Force

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20 March 2015

Airbus Defence and Space has handed over the first C-295 medium transport aircraft to the Philippines Air Force (PAF) at its final assembly line in Seville, Spain.In February 2014, Airbus was selected to supply three C-295 planes to PAF at a cost of PHP5.29bn ($118m), to enhance help the overall lift capability of the air force.The aircraft is expected to play a key role in the modernisation of the force's transport fleet and will undertake a wide variety of military and humanitarian missions.Philippines Air Force spokesperson lieutenant colonel Enrico Canaya was quoted by INQUIRER.net as saying that the aircraft will undergo an acceptance process following arrival in the country."This is a medium-lift plane, an equivalent of Fokker. This will be used in transporting cargos, disaster response."

Philippines Defence Undersecretary Fernando Manalo earlier told philstar.com that the aircraft would be delivered to Clark Air Base on Luzon Island in the Philippines, between 23 and 25 March.The remaining two C-295 airlifters are scheduled to be delivered in 2016, and will supplement PAF's existing transport fleet consisting of three Fokker planes and three C-130 Hercules.The C-295 is a stretched variant of the CN-235 transporter. It is a tactical military transport aircraft designed to carry out tactical airlift, search-and-rescue, and maritime patrol and environmental surveillance missions in all-weather conditions.
 

ManilaBoy45

Junior Member
IN PHOTOS: Brand New Aircraft Boosts Air Force Typhoon Relief Capability

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Published 5:30 PM, Apr 02, 2015

MANILA, Philippines – The brand new transport plane of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is ready for deployment in time for Typhoon Chedeng (Maysak) that is expected to make landfall Saturday evening, April 4, according to spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Enrico Canaya. "It can transport HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) requirements like rescue teams, medical teams, and relief goods depending on what is needed," Canaya said.

The PAF formally received on Monday, March 30, the first of 3 brand new C295s from Spanish firm Airbus Military.The medium lift-fixed wing aircraft is the equivalent of the F-27 Fokker transport aircraft in the existing inventory of the PAF. But unlike the Fokker, the C295 has an open ramp at the backside to allow for easier loading and unloading of passengers and cargoes."It's like a C-130 with lesser payload," Canaya said.The military would have preferred the C130s but the budget allocation can only afford medium lift aircraft.

 

SamuraiBlue

Captain
Looks as if the visit by the president had brought some interesting gifts.

Indonesia mulls buying Japan’s US-2 amphibious aircraft, defense chief says
Kyodo


Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said Monday his government is considering the possibility of buying the US-2 amphibious aircraft from Japan.

“We feel (there’s a match) and we wish to buy. We’re still mulling (this), and if we already finish (the assessment) we will report to the president about this,” Ryacudu said in an interview.

The US-2 is built by ShinMaywa Industries Ltd., based in Hyogo Prefecture.

The Indonesian defense minister said the US-2 is well suited for the geographical conditions of Indonesia, a country of thousands of islands.

Noting that both Japan and Indonesia are archipelagic countries that frequently have to contend with natural disasters like earthquakes, he said, “Geographically, we are in the ‘ring of fire,’ so we learn from Japan in terms of disaster management.”

Indonesia is seeking to strengthen its maritime forces, sea patrol functions and search and rescue operations in surrounding waters.

The US-2 can land on and take off from the sea. The aircraft is already in use by the Self-Defense Forces..... to read more
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ManilaBoy45

Junior Member
US Condemns China’s Use of Water Cannons on Filipino Fishermen

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The Philippine Star) | Updated April 23, 2015

WASHINGTON – The use by Chinese coast guards of water cannons on Filipino fishing boats at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal would be provocative if reports on the incident prove accurate, the US State Department said on Tuesday.Department spokeswoman Marie Harf made the statement when asked to comment on reports by Filipino activists that the Chinese turned water cannons on fishing boats to drive them away.“I can’t independently confirm the reports, but if true, the use of water cannons against Philippine civilian vessels that have a longstanding practice of fishing in these waters at Scarborough Reef or in other disputed areas of the South China Sea would be a provocative act,” Harf said.“It would represent a step backward in finding a diplomatic resolution to the dispute,” she said at a press conference.Countries should not use force or coercion to support disputed territorial or maritime claims, she added.

Panatag Shoal, some 120 miles west of Zambales province, had been a traditional fishing route of Filipinos until 2012 when China took control of the area.In Manila, congressmen have urged President Aquino to send Coast Guard ships to Panatag Shoal to protect Filipino fishermen.Rep. Ashley Acedillo said one Coast Guard vessel was patrolling the area not too long ago but President Aquino recalled the ship after China fielded civilian maritime patrols in the area to accompany Chinese fishermen.He said the President should order the Coast Guard to again patrol the Panatag Shoal area, as this is the traditional fishing ground of Zambales and Pangasinan fishermen.He said Aquino should not fear a confrontation between Philippine and Chinese ships.“China will not risk a confrontation, because that will draw the United States in the conflict. That is the consequence that they are avoiding,” he added.
 

ManilaBoy45

Junior Member
Chinese Frigate Fired Shots on a Philippine Patrol Aircraft
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Posted on April 23, 2015

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A sick member of a team licensed by the National Telecommunications Commission to set up an amateur radio operations in Pagasa Island was finally flown out of the Island days after a Chinese naval vessel reportedly harassed a Philippine Air Force patrol flight in the Spratlys on Monday.The mercy flight did not push through earlier after a Chinese frigate “fired an illumination round on a PAF patrol aircraft” Leo Almazan, member of the team told Interaksyon.com.The plane carrying Chito Pastor had landed in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan past noon and will be admitted to Palawan Adventist Hospital in Puerto Princesa.Meanwhile, China on Wednesday defended the actions of its coast guard after the Philippines accused its vessel of using water cannon on Philippine fishing boats.
 
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