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| AW-109 Power, naval helicopter |
FORT SAN FELIPE, Cavite City - The Navy is expected to receive this December three new helicopters that are seen to boost its maritime security capabilities.
Navy chief Vice Adm. Jose Luis Alano said the three helicopters would constitute the first batch of air assets to be delivered by the supplier AugustaWestland S.P.A.
The government is acquiring a total five AW 109 Power helicopters from the Anglo-Italian firm for P1.3 billion.
“We are looking at the acquisition of naval helicopters. The initial batch will be arriving by December this year,” Alano said on the sidelines of the Navy’s anniversary celebration here.
“The helicopters (were acquired through) the proper procurement process,” he added.
In its website, AugustaWestland described the AW 109 as “a versatile aircraft that offers the highest level of benefits for government and military markets, combining optimum performance with cost-effectiveness.”
The helicopters can be used for maritime security, search and rescue and surface surveillance, among other operations.
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