Naval Aviation in the Philippines

The Naval air Group (NAG) of the Philippine Navy is responsible for naval aviation in the Philippines and has both helicopter and fixed-wing assets. Legacy assets include seven Britten Norman BN-2A1B Islander aircraft, with six flyable, a Cessna 172F and a Cessna 172N (delivered 2008) for training. The first helicopter to enter service with the NAG was the MBB (now airbus Helicopters) Bo 105C, initially six were acquired followed by an additional helicopter in 1988, currently some four Bo 105C are operational. More recently in September 2007 the NAG received a Robinson R22 Beta II training helicopter.

Defence modernisation investment has seen the NAG receive new helicopter capabilities, with much more in prospect. The first sign of this was an order for three Agusta Westland aW109 Power helicopters, for search and rescue (SAR) missions, with these helicopters being delivered in December 2013. Then in February 2014 it was announced that two more aW109 Power helicopters had been ordered with delivery due in the second half of 2014.

The NAG envisages having an 18-strong helicopter force, of which five AW109 Power helicopters will form part, for SAR, utility and other operational functions. Separately the NAG also has an acquisition programme to acquire a force of six dedicated maritime helicopters for ASV/ASW missions, these helicopters will be ship-based. In March the Philippine Department of National Defence (DND) announced an acquisition programme for an initial two dedicated maritime helicopters with $120 million (PHP 5.4 billion) being allocated to fund the programme. This acquisition is to be decided before the end of the year.

at present the favoured candidate appears to be the agusta Westland aW159 Wildcat, as used by the Royal Navy. However, the funding allocation, even though it includes Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), training and other expenditure, can support the acquisition of other helicopter types if so desired. as yet there has been no movement on discussing a weapons package for the new helicopters. Initially the two helicopters will be deployed on the two former US Coast Guard Hamilton class High endurance Cutters BRP Grigorio del Pilar (PF 15) and BRP Ramon alcaraz (PF 16). More helicopters will be acquired for the two frigates being purchased under the Deep Water Patrol Vessel (DWPV) programme, with two more helicopters required for the two further frigates that the Philippine Navy intends to acquire.

although agusta Westland has built a strong position in the Philippines, the Philippine Government is committed to open procurement, thus airbus Helicopters and Sikorsky amongst others will both have opportunities to meet NAG helicopter requirements.