DND: Air Force to acquire 16 new helicopters starting next year

February 6, 2018

The Department of National Defense has signed a P12-billion contract for the acquisition of 16 new helicopters for the Philippine Air Force.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DND said 16 Bell 412 EPI utility helicopters will be delivered starting the first quarter of 2019 and will be completed by the second quarter of 2020.

DND by Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, James Williamson, representing Bell, and Yvonne Chin, Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) Director for Asia, signed the contract late last year.

In a press released posted on their website, Sameer Rehman, managing director of Bell Helicopter Asia Pacific said, “Bell’s helicopters have been a key component for the Philippine Air Force in the past.”

“We are honored that the Bell 412 will continue to serve the Philippines through the Philippine Air Force for many more years to come. Being a part of the armed forces of the Philippines is a privilege and responsibility that we at Bell Helicopter take very seriously,” he said.

“We look forward to bringing these aircraft into service quickly to serve the citizens of the Philippines,” he added.

The helicopters will be used for a variety of missions such as disaster relief, search and rescue, passenger transport and utility transport, Rehman said. Robina Asido/DMS