PAF gets 2 Cobra helicopters

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has acquired two units of high-end combat Bell AH-1S “Cobra” helicopters, one of the most powerful attack helicopters in the world, from a donation by the government of Jordan.

Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong said on Thursday that the two Cobra helicopters are set to be formally added to the PAF’s current inventory within the year.

National Security Adviser

Hermogenes Esperon Jr. confirmed that the Cobra helicopters arrived aboard a Russian-made Antonov cargo plane which landed at the PAF Headquarters in Clark Airbase, Pampanga on Tuesday.

“It will be reassembled to put in rotors and launchers. (They are) expected to be operational by end of December,” Esperon said.

Andolong said the Cobra helicopters will be used primarily for close air support in internal security and counter-terrorism operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“These Cobra helicopters from Jordan are a manifestation of the widening of our circle of friends,” the Defense official stated, referring to the strengthened defense cooperation between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Jordan that led to the donation of the two aircrafts.

“There is no problem with interoperability of the Cobra since our pilots are familiar and sufficiently trained to operate the Cobra’s systems,” he added.

This year, four PAF pilots were sent to Jordan for training for the operation and maintenance of the Cobra helicopters. Two of them underwent further training to become test and instructor pilots.