a
World Defense & Security News - The Philippines
 
 
Philippine Air Force receives first of two refurbished C-130T military airlifters
 
The Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s fourth Lockheed C-130 cargo aircraft has safely landed at Benito Ebuen Airbase, Mactan, Cebu on Tuesday. This was confirmed by PAF spokesperson Col. Araus Roberto Musico in a message to the PNA. “It has arrived at around 11:25 p.m. last night (Tuesday) at Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan,” Musico added.
     
Philippine Air Force receives first of two refurbished C 130T military airlifters 640 001The first refurbished C-130T military airlifter landed at Benito Ebuen Airbase on April 6
(Credit: PAF)
     
It is the first of two refurbished C-130 Lockheed airlifters acquired by Manila for about USD55 million, of which the US government paid USD20 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF).

Musico said the aircraft is scheduled to be transferred to the PAF April 13. The second aircraft is expected to arrive by this September or October, he added.

Arrival of these planes will boosts the PAF’s heavy lift capability. “Remember if we need to move a big number of troops and supplies (especially) heavy equipment for rapid deployment, it will be much easier as we have additional (C-130) aircraft,” Musico pointed out.

Originally, these two C-130Ts were configured for tanker missions and were later converted for transport missions before being acquired by the Philippines.

Aside from the C-130s, the PAF has three Airbus Military C-295 medium tactical military transport aircraft and three Fokker F-27 transports for its logistics and lift missions.