The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is set to acquire five Lockheed Martin C-130Js to increase its military transport capability, as well as to enhance its humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
According to the Philstar site, the House of Representatives approved the PAF’s request for additional funding for the acquisition of the new aircraft as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program, which is a priority measure of the Duterte administration.
Following the approval of House Speaker Allan Velasco, the committee tasked to amend the 2022 General Appropriations Bill, has reallocated some $108 million from the budget, to the Armed Forces for the initial payment for the C-130J aircraft.
PAF chief Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes said the PAF needs the cargo aircraft for «disaster response, OFW repatriation and troop deployment.»
The C-130J Super Hercules is the newest variation of Lockheed Martin’s C-130 aircraft and will come to replace the aging C130B/Hs currently in operation in the PAF.
Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero said the budget realignment is part of the House’s commitment to provide better equipment to the Armed Forces.
House committee on good governance and public accountability chairman Mike Aglipay, who also attended the meeting, said the new planes would solve the «problem of decades of accidents that have cost hundreds of precious lives,» noting that the latest C-130 crash occurred in Sulu just two months ago.
It was one of two C-130Hs acquired through a U.S. government grant. It arrived in the Philippines on Jan. 29 and was formally inducted into the PAF fleet at Villamor on Feb. 18. On July 4, it plunged to earth, an accident in which more than 50 people lost their lives.
