MANILA — The Philippines will acquire 10 attack helicopters starting next year in a bid to boost the capabilities of the poorly equipped military, an air force spokesman said July 18.
Italy, Britain, France, Russia and South Africa are all being eyed to supply the helicopters, Lt. Col. Miguel Okol said, although he declined to specify which models were being considered.
The brand new machines will upgrade the fleet of U.S.-made MG-520 light attack helicopters that the air force has been using since the 1990s.
“What we are going to get are armed attack helicopters ... that can carry more payload than the MG-520,” Okol told AFP.
He declined to specify the cost of the acquisition but said the government had already allocated the required funds.
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