Philippine Air Force Acquired Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has received an Insitu Scan Eagle unmanned aircraft system from the United States. The system comprises of six unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), ground control station, launching and recovery stations.

Scan Eagle 2 UAV mounted on the launcher system.
(Photo from Reuter)

US Embassy in Philippine

PAF FA-50 Delivery

The first two FA-50 Fighting Eagle fighter/ trainer aircraft will be delivered to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on 10 December 2015.  These combat aircraft will confer a significant boost to the Philippine Armed Forces.  Philippine ordered 12 FA-50 in 2014 under a $420 million government to government deal.

A pioneer batch of three instructor pilots and 32 maintenance crew were sent to South Korea for training. The aircrew are experienced S-211 pilots. Philippine Air Force retired its last fighter, the F-5 in 2005. The FA-50 Fighting Eagle will be PAF's first supersonic combat aircraft in a decade. Philippine is also upgrading its air base infrastructures to accommodate the new acquisitions.


Photo: Facebook, Philippine Military Assets

Manila Livewire

PAF UH-1D Crash Landed

A Philippine Air Force UH-1D utility helicopter from Tactical Operations Group IX conducting a casevac (casualty evacuation) mission crash landed near Sitio Lamsalo in the Sarangani province. The helicopter was evacuating injured soldiers from the 73rd Infantry Battalion which was in action against communist insurgents. Nine aircrew and passengers were slightly injured in the incident.


Earlier this year, the UH-I fleet was grounded following an incident at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarter at Camp Evangelista. A UH-1H from Tactical Operations Group X rolled over while taking off.




The UH-1D were acquired under a controversial deal for 21 aircraft. At least 7 aircraft were delivered before the Air Force sought to terminate the contract for late delivery of aircraft. The deal was criticised because the aircraft is the UH-1D version instead of the newer and more capable UH-1H which the Air Force is already operating. There were concerns that spare parts and maintenance would be a problem.










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