Army to activate Aviation Regiment ”within the year”: official

August 14, 2019

The Philippine Army to activate its Aviation Regiment ''within the year'', an official said Wednesday.

"It will be activated within this year, anytime this year," Col. Romulo Manuel, Army chief of plans told reporters in Fort Bonifacio on Wednesday.

Manuel said as part of the modernization program around four to eight helicopters will be acquired for the Army's Aviation Regiment.

"We will focus on doctrine, on training so that when the aircraft helicopter comes, we have pilots that have undergone training, part of our modernization," he said.

The Aviation Battalion will be upgraded to Aviation Regiment where the Army will have its own helicopters to support its ground forces, added Manuel.

Manuel added that procurement programs for the Philippine Army include the acquisition of 155mm self-propelled artillery.

"Actually the Revised Armed Forces Modernization is for all, not only for the Air Force and Navy, including the Army," he said. 

"We have different horizons (which consists of three) so right now we are in the Second horizon to procure equipment... The President has alloted funds for the procurement of like modern equipment, like self-propelled artillery. This will be used in the territorial defense. Right now the Army is contemplating to buy one land-based system," he added. Robina Asido/DMS