Japan will donate P5-billion worth of assistance to enhance the capabilities of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda on Wednesday signed the exchange of notes on the grant aid for spare parts and maintenance equipment for the Philippine military’s helicopters.

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“The Grant Aid on UH-1H parts and maintenance equipment to the PAF, involves Japan’s grant of some ¥10.68 billion (PhP5 billion) worth of spare parts and maintenance equipment of UH-1H helicopters by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) consisting of the following categories: airframe structure; dynamic power system, control system; rotor system; hydraulic system; electrical system; instrument system; accessory equipment; and others,” the DFA said in a statement.

The Vietnam War-vintage Huey helicopters are the workhorse of the Philippine military’s air operations. It is often used for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, transport, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Early this year, Japan completed its donation of five Beechcraft TC-90 aircraft for the Philippine Navy, a part of an agreement between the two countries the previous year.

The Philippines, nevertheless, is still looking for possible sources of new utility helicopters for the Air Force.

To recall, however, President Rodrigo Duterte cancelled a deal for 16 Bell 412 combat utility helicopters from Canadian Commercial Corp. last February after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government ordered for its review over human rights records of the Philippines. /kga

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