The Philippine Air Force supposedly order 16 units of bell 412 helicopter from Canada. Unfortunately, the Canadian government temporarily suspend the transactions due to the President’s possible human rights violation.
The Philippine military is keen to boost its capabilities as it fights Communist rebels and Islamic radicals. It says it would use the Canadian helicopters to transport and supply troops and ferry-wounded soldiers out of danger. Other uses would be for disaster relief.
Since then, the Philippine defense authorities reviewed other candidates, including the KAI-built Surion, the Italian Agusta Westland AW139, and the Russian Mi-171.
According to the defense chief, either 10 Surion or Black Hawk helicopters were considered to be acquired within the budget limit. And lately, the U.S. government offered to finance the remaining balance of the acquisition price for the remaining six for a total of 16 Helicopter through the Foreign Military Sales program.
Lorenzana said Russia offered the second-lowest price, but noted it is “very difficult to pay them because of the U.S. sanctions,” citing a law signed by U.S. President Donald Trump to punish Russia for its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, Moscow’s support for the Syrian government and the Putin government’s alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections.
Aside from Combat Utility Helicopter, the defense secretary also confirmed that the Air Force will be acquiring attack helicopters from the Turkish Aerospace Industries.
As the game is not over, and according to Defense chief said the Air Force is looking to sign the acquisition deal of 16 choppers by next year. So this will be either South Korea Surion or United States Blackhawk helicopter.
The military will also be purchasing new attack helicopters from Turkey.
