Philippines eyeing to buy retiring US surveillance plane: Lorenzana

May 22, 2019

The Department of National Defense (DND) is eyeing to procure surveillance plane from United States.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday expressed interest in acquiring some of the P-3C Orion aircraft due to be retired by the US Navy.

"It will be good if we acquire even one P3 Orion provided it has all its original equipment. Otherwise, it will just be another transport plane," said Lorenzana.

"We will find out if we can get one or two," he added.

The US Navy is set to retire its P-3C Orion and replace it with a new P-8A Poseidon surveillance plane.

Lorenzana did not say when the DND will tell the United States about their intention to acquire Orion but he assured they will be informing them "soon".

He also emphasized the importance of getting aircraft to boost the maritime patrol capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"(It is) very important as our domain awareness will be greatly enhanced," he said. Robina Asido/DMS