United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg on Monday said there are two C-130 planes anticipated to be delivered in the country in the first quarter of 2016.
“We help support Philippine modernization through excess defense articles, there are two more C-130s in the pipeline,” Goldberg said during the turnover and commissioning of eight brand new Bell-412EPs and two attack versions of AgustaWestland AW-109E.
Goldberg added that US government also supports the Philippine military modernization through its foreign military funding which was fixed at $50 million in 2014.
With the anticipated mission-ready C-130s from the US, the Philippine Air Force will expand its number and capacity of existing medium lift aircraft.
There will be five mission-ready C-130s by 2016 with a total budget projected at about $55 million.
The aircraft is designed to provide significant airlift capabilities to unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, perfect for transporting military personnel and for relief operation purposes during calamities.
