Airbus parades defense, space products for AFP modernization

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is looking forward to the Philippines’ next order of new military aircraft as it seeks to beef up the country’s modernization efforts with its latest defense products and services.

Airbus Defence & Space head for Southeast Asia Johan Pelissier said the aircraft manufacturing giant is ready to meet the defense, space, communications and security requirements in the Philippines with its new products and services which will be highlighted at this week’s Asian Defense & Security (ADAS) 2018 exhibition in Manila.

“The Philippine Air Force is a highly valued customer, and we are proud that they selected the C295 to support the modernization of their transport fleet. Today, three of these versatile aircraft serve on a variety of military and humanitarian missions in the country,“he said.

Pelissier said the three C295 aircraft have been in operations for the country’s Air Force since February 2016.

“We are willing to build on that success to introduce now new aircraft. We are looking forward and we believe that these new aircraft can meet future requirements,” he said.

“What we see according to the modernization plan is that we have a portfolio which is fitting to the future requirements of the Philippines, which make us confident that we have the right product to answer for the future needs of air transport and maritime security requirement,” Pelissier said.

Aside from the Philippines, the C295 is also in service in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

“We also produce the C295 MPA for maritime patrol missions, offering the best combination of value and capability in its category. It is specially suitable for countries in Asia, many of which need to monitor large coastlines and secure their economic zones,” Pelissier said.

For this week’s ADAS, Pelissier said Airbus would be highlighting the capabilities of the new generation A400M, which can fly twice as far or carry as much payload as competing aircraft.

“The A400M has also successfully carried out humanitarian missions in Asia, most recently to Lombok in Indonesia.”

Airbus is the leading supplier of aircraft in the above-100 seat category in the Philippine commercial airline market.

The company is also the leader in the Philippine rotorcraft market with 76 helicopters in service.