The three AgustaWestland AW109E helicopters were commissioned to the Philippine Navy and are now ready to tour of duty the West Philippines Sea where the Philippines is engage t in territorial disputes with several countries.
The AW109E Power naval helicopters were acquired to provide air support capability of 2 recently acquired Frigates in patrolling the country’s maritime territory. Helicopters are equipped with a potential for surveillance, which can send surveillance data to the ship.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is changing its focus from insurgency to territorial defense. The warships and the naval choppers are among the possessions acquired to boost the country’s maritime surveillance. Each chopper can carry 2 pilots and 6 passengers. Its capabilities include:
- Support marines and special operations
- Humanitarian assistance and disaster response
- Support to Over-the-Horizon Targeting
- Aeromedical Evacuation
- Vertical replenishment
- Maritime air surveillance
With the help of newly acquired choppers it will increase the navy’s aptitude to have a larger exposure of maritime surveillance and to cover a larger area. The remaining 2 helicopter is expected to arrive by 3rd quarter of year 2015.
