By Rebelander S. Basilan
THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) will have more aircraft this year, as it upgrades its capability to respond to disasters.
Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino Dela Cruz, PAF commanding general, said 21 Huey helicopters will be delivered this year, with seven to 10 expected to arrive in the first half of the year.
Dela Cruz, who graced the 35th anniversary celebration of the PAF Second Air Division yesterday, said they are converting four helicopter gunships into air ambulances.
He also revealed that President Benigno Aquino III approved their request to buy two more C-130 aircraft.
The PAF has three C-130 planes.
“As part of our capability upgrading program, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) will also buy three medium-lift aircraft. These are lower versions of the C-130s. If this will materialize, we will have eight cargo aircraft,” Dela Cruz said in an interview.
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