The Philippines is set to acquire two C-130 transport planes from the US for $61 million (about P2.66 billion), after the US State Department approved the sale.
According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA), the Philippine government requested the sale of the planes plus 10 T56-16 engines (eight installed and two spares). The arrangement will also include the logistical sustainment of the planes for three years.
The DCSA notified the US Congress of the sale on July 23. In its statement, the agency said the Philippines wants to procure the planes "to improve the mobility and resupply of its forces and for the provision of humanitarian assistance in the Philippines and the wider region, thereby reducing the potential level of US assistance requested/needed for these purposes."
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) currently has three C-130s, which are used in the transport of troops and the delivery of relief goods to disaster areas.
In an earlier interview, AFP chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang said the PAF is expecting the delivery of the aircraft next year. "We are just finalizing the documents," he said. — BM, GMA News
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/373500/news/nation/afp-to-acquire-2-c-130-transport-planes-from-us-for-p2-66b
