APD | Philippines Defense Department receives excess UH-1H spare parts

By APD writer Melo M. Acuña

MANILA, Mar.19 (APD) -- Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) received the first batch of excess UH-1H helicopter parts and maintenance equipment worth ¥5.309 billion or P2.5 billion from the Minister of Defense of Japan in an acceptance and turnover ceremony earlier today at Clark Air Base in Angeles City.

In a statement, the Department of National Defense said Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Mr. Toshihiko Fujii, Assistant Commissioner of Japan’s Acquisition Technology and Logistics Agency led the ceremonial transfer of the first batch of parts and equipment from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

“With these latest spare parts and maintenance equipment for our UH-1H helicopters (from the Japanese government), the Philippine Air Force could now start the restoration of several ‘Huey’ assets parked in its hangars back to operational status again,” Secretary Lorenzana said.

The parts will be used to restore UH-1H helicopters under the 505th Search and Rescue Group and the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, for the humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“With more UH-1H flying our skies, our capabilities would be enhanced,” Secretary Lorenzana said.

The first batch of donated parts and equipment came from Iruma Air Base in Saitama, Japan last March 13,2019 and composed of dynamic power, rotor and electrical systems.

The second batch is expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2019.

Secretary Lorenzana said the Philippines is the first country in the ASEAN to receive Japanese excess defense equipment.  He expressed optimism that the “increasing and growing” defense alliance between the Philippines and Japan would further expand in the coming years.

It will be recalled the Exchange of Notes for the grant was signed by Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda last November 7,2018.  Other Defense officials attended the turn-over rites.  

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)