The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has taken delivery of four new UH-1 Huey multi-mission helicopters at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.
Philippines defence secretary Voltaire Gazmin told the Inquirer that the four new UH-1 Hueys are part of the 21 combat utility helicopters being acquired as part of the PAF’s modernisation programme.
"The four helicopters are being assembled so they can be displayed during the Air Force anniversary," Gazmin said.
The PAF will celebrate its 67th anniversary on 1 July.
The helicopters will be used by the air force to transport troops and equipment during disaster response.
The air force ordered 21 UH-1 Hueys under a PHP1.26bn ($28m) contract with Rice Aircraft Services and Eagle Copters joint venture (JV) in December 2013.
The PAF is scheduled to take delivery of three more Huey choppers by the end of July.
The helicopters are expected to enhance the country’s combat, security and utility, and transport capability.
"There were slight delays in the unloading of equipment in Port Area because of the traffic but hopefully, we will be able to complete all these projects within the year," Gazmin said.
Manufactured by Bell Helicopter, the UH-1 Huey is a multi-mission helicopter designed for airborne command and control, aeromedical evacuation, troop and equipment transport, and search-and-rescue missions.
Image: A UH-1 Huey of the Philippine Air Force on display at Camp Aguinaldo. Photo: courtesy of Maurotongco.
