Navy receives 3 Japanese surveillance planes
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana acknowledged that much has still to be done to boost the Armed Force’s capability equipment to meet a number of persistent maritime security challenges.
“These challenges range from territorial disputes
with China and other Southeast Asian Nations over the ownership of resourcerich islands in the West Philippine Sea, to piracy, movement of armed insurgents in the Sulu Sea and other transnational crimes,” Lorenzana said.
Lorenzana made the remark during the formal transfer to the Philippine Navy of three more units of the Beechcraft TC90 aircraft from the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) made possible through the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) at the Naval Air Group (NAG)headquarters in Sangley Point, Cavite City yesterday.
The three TC-90s were accorded the traditional water cannon salute upon landing at the runway. Philippine Navy spokesperson Capt. LuedLincuna said a meeting point procedure was initially rendered when the three TC-90s were met by the two recently activated TC-90s over Batanes and afterwards escorted them to the Laoag Airport.
Lorenzana and Japan’s Vice Minister for Defense Tatsuo Fukuda,Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji KojiHaneda, Philippine Navy chief Read Admiral Robert A. Empedrad and other delegates from JMOD and JMSDF watched the planes land at the naval base guarding the mouth of Manila Bay
“This turn-over of these aircraft will definitely boost the Philippine Navy’s capability in providing humanitarian assistance and conducting disaster relief operations,” Lorenzananoted.
The acquisition of the TC-90 surveillance planes will likewise enhance the capability of the Philippine Navy’s Maritime Air Surveillance and Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance because its patrol range is twice the capability of the Philippine aircraft which only has a maximum range of 300 kilometers.
From lease to grant The Philippine Defense chief said the Philippines is concerned with piracy and the movement of armed insurgents in the Sulu Sea and other transnational crimes, including smuggling of illegal drugs and poaching into rich fishing grounds in territorial waters.
Japan planned to lease five surveillance planes but decided last year to transfer without cost the aircraft after changes were made in Tokyo’s self-defense forces law allowing donation of excess defense and military equipment to partner countries.
Fukuda said Tokyo was willing to help its allies improve its capabilities help secure the safety of international sea lanes and benefit not only the Philippines but the entire region.
‘We are thankful for this first grant project of JMOD following the amendment of Japan Government’s Self-Defense Force Act which allows the donation of excess defense and military equipment to partner country such as ours,” Lorenzana said.
“On behalf of the One Defense Team, we are truly grateful to the Government of Japan for its tremendous assistance in helping us improve our ability to carry out maritime security operations. Thank You and Mabuhay,” he said.
Wide coastline
With the Philippines having massive maritime domains, the Navy needs to develop its maritime surveillance capability to fully secure its territorial waters which is bigger than most nations in the world.
“The activation of the five TC90 aircraft into the service of the Philippine Navy is truly a huge leap in the PN’s air capability. The TC90 is far more superior than our current inventories in terms of speed, range, longer loiter time capability, superior search, tracking, imaging and identification; larger capacity for medical evacuation, other utility missions; and can participate in maritime exercises and other engagements internationally,” he added.
The projected pilots and crew of the five TC90 planes have undergone extensive training on operations, safety and other critical features of the aircraft in Japan.
“In addition, the Government of Japan has committed to provide support in terms of spare parts and capacity building field of aircraft maintenance and sustainment,” Empedrad said.
“Having been assured of their unwavering support, I am confident therefore that we will be able to operate, maintain and sustain the five TC90s that will become relevant in achieving the goals of our AADS; pursuit of our vision that by 2020 we shall be a strong and credible Navy that our maritime nation will be proud of; and more importantly, making them ready on R1 status for sustainable deployment in their different unified commands of the AFP,” he added.
Aside from the donated planes, the Navy is operating around six Norman Britten “Islander” patrol aircraft, four GAF “Nomad” planes, and five AgustaWestland combat utility helicopters, and a Robinson R-22 training helicopter.(With reports from Reuters and PNA)