DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong (File photo) MANILA - The Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday clarified that the two Turkish-made T129 "ATAK" attack helicopters have yet to arrive in the country, despite reports circulating online that these have arrived on Jan. 8. "Contrary to information circulating online, as of 9 January 2021 the first two units of TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries) T129 ATAK Helicopters have not arrived in (the) country," DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement. He added that the DND will issue updates regarding the project as soon as they become available. Then Philippine Air Force chief, Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes, said the first two units out of the six ordered from TAI were scheduled for delivery last December. The DND did not provide a reason why the delivery of the helicopters did not push through as scheduled. The six T129 attack helicopters were acquired for a total contract price of USD269,388,862 (about PHP12.9
(Photo courtesy of DND) MANILA - Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has formally accepted five S-70i "Black Hawk" combat utility helicopters and four units of ScanEagle unmanned aerial system (UAS). Lorenzana and Philippine Air Force (PAF) chief, Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes, led the acceptance and blessing of these equipment in a short ceremony Wednesday at the Clark Air Base, Pampanga. In a statement Thursday, Lorenzana said these additional assets are seen as "crucial in keeping our communities and people safe from traditional security threats and disasters". "With additional four long-endurance, low-altitude ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles, our aerial reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities will be enhanced. With five more Black Hawks, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) can now better provide prompt and sustained day and night tactical heli-lift and combat and non-combat search and rescue operations," he added. The PAF has an