PAF's new Sokol combat utility helicopters (with pics)

**chua_riwap** · March 11th, 2012 09:43 PM

2 more C-130 planes.
pero kahit na "under repair" pa status, dagdag puwersa na rin yan.

PAF beefs up capability with 2 more C-130 planes | ABS-CBN News

PAF beefs up capability with 2 more C-130 planes

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will have two more C-130 planes in the coming months to augment a lone plane in its inventory.

PAF chief Maj. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz said the first one is still undergoing repair in the United States, while the other is already in the country but is still being repaired.

The C-130 is used by the military in transporting troops and supplies to different areas. It is also being used to transport relief goods and other supplies for victims of typhoons and other forms of calamities.

He said the PAF will also receive by November four more Sokol helicopters from Augusta PZL Swidnick, an Italian and Polish firm, which bagged a P2.8 billion contract for the delivery of eight combat utility helicopters.

The first four arrived last Friday at the Clark Air Base in Angeles City. "For the incoming years, we are already finalizing first a light fixed-wing aircraft. That is being processed by our senior leaders and we are ironing out the contract and once this will be approved, we can expect this within two years," he said.

"We are fast-tracking all these (acquisitions). Although we are rushing them, we are doing it the right way. That is why we are meeting almost twice a week in order to have all these capability as early as possible," he added.

Hueys

The twin-engine aircraft will be augmenting a fleet of Huey helicopters. The 40 vintage Huey helicopters in the PAF’s inventory will be still be used over the next decade.

“You can expect (the Hueys) for another 10 years because they are undergoing regular repair," said dela Cruz.

He said the acquisition of the Sokol aircraft is a “solid development” especially since the Air Force has been a subject of ridicule in the past.

"Sometimes, the joke hurts that we only have air but no force. But eventually, this will be a thing of the past. We can now see a horizon of better times, the beginning of an Air Force that is adequately equipped and skilled to deliver on its commitment and be an effective force multipliers to our brothers in the other branches of service,” he said.

He said the Sokol helicopters will “be used extensively in our combat service support missions" and “will provide us with increased capability to provide battlefield coverage for our ground forces.”

**chua_riwap** · March 11th, 2012 11:06 PM

time to commission the sokols in the south........

7 soldiers hurt as Air Force chopper crashes in Agusan Norte

TAGUM CITY, Philippines—Seven soldiers were hurt when a Philippine Air Force helicopter crashed in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte, early Sunday, a military official said.
The accident happened as the UH-1H helicopter, more popularly known as Huey, of the 10th Advance Tactical Command Post of the 10th PAF-Tactical Operations Group, was airlifting a wounded soldier and transporting provisions to troops battling the communist New People’s Army in the province, said Major Eugenio Julio Osias, spokesman of the army’s 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City.
Osias, in a statement, said the chopper was about to land when it crashed in Sitio (subvillage) Zapanta, Bangayan village around 10:30 a.m.
The two pilots and five soldier passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment, the military spokesman said, adding an investigation was being conducted to ascertain the cause of the accident.
“We are saddened that one of our reliable assets in the conduct of our operations to expedite the Filipino people’s fight against insurgency crashed this morning,” said Major General Victor Felix, 4th ID commander.