PAF acquires new C-295 transport plane from Spain
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has formally accepted a brand new C-295M military transport plane from Spain as part of its ongoing modernization program to establish a credible air defense system.
The new transport plane was formally turned over in a blessing ceremony at the Haribon Hangar, Clark Air Base, Air Force City in Mabalacat, Pampanga, on Monday. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana graced the event.
In a statement on Tuesday, Lieutenant General Rozzano Briguez, PAF commanding general, said the C-295M aircraft will begin its operational mission by transporting troops, equipment, and relief goods in support of earthquake
affected victims in Mindanao.
“From airlifting personnel and logistical supplies to projecting military force as well as providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response, air mobility has been an indispensible capability that the PAF provides through the competency of our pilots, crew, and aircrafts that we possess,” Briguez said.
The C-295M plane was acquired by the Department of National Defense (DND) from Airbus Defence and Space, a European multinational aerospace corporation, as part of the Command and Control Fixed-Wing Turbo Prop Acquisition (C2FWTPA) Project under the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.
Briguez said that the arrival of the new plane will add to the present three operational C-295 aircraft of the PAF, thus, boosting the capabilities of its medium tactical airlift requirement of transporting troops and equipment, and supporting its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
Further, the aircraft can also be utilized as a Command and Control plane to cater to the domestic air transport of President Duterte and other national and strategic defense leaders, Briguez said.
“The aircraft personifies the guardians of our precious skies and the bearers of hope,” he stated.
Ambassador of Spain to the Philippines, His Excellency Jorge Moragas assured the support of Spain and its Ministry of Defense to the AFP’s modernization program as he assured a strengthened cooperation between the two countries’ militaries.