Philippine Air Force attack capability improved with 'Cobra' helicopter!

The ability of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to provide air support to ground forces received a much needed boost with the arrival of two Bell AH-1S "Cobra" attack helicopters donated by the Jordanian government on November 26.


"Two-engined single-engine attack helicopters, which arrived at PAF Headquarters at Clark Airbase, Pampanga on November 26, 2019, will be used primarily for close air support in internal security and counter-terrorism operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," a spokesman for the Department of National Defense ( DND) Arsenio Andolong said in a statement to reporters on Thursday.


Two "Cobra" helicopters will be joined by eight AugustaWestland AW-109 light attack helicopters which are still operating with the much older "Defender" Mcdonnell Douglas MG-520 helicopter which is estimated to be 12 in PAF service.


"This 'Cobra' helicopter from Jordan is an embodiment of expanding our circle of friends," Andolong said referring to stronger defense cooperation between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Jordan that led to donations from two planes.


This year, four PAF pilots were trained in Jordan to operate the "Cobra" helicopter, two of whom underwent further training to become test pilots and instructors.


"This new asset, which is equipped with weapons and rockets, will greatly assist our troops on land and enhance the overall capability of the PAF," Andolong added.


Andolong saw no interoperability issues with the "Cobra" helicopter as PAF pilots were familiar and trained enough to operate the aircraft system. The assembly of two helicopters was now underway.


The additional assets of this PAF will be formally accepted by the Minister of Defense Delfin Lorenzana once the tests and inspections have been completed.


Bell AH-1 "Cobra" is a single-blade, two-blade attack helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It was developed using an engine, transmission and rotor system from Bell UH-1 Iroquois.


A member of the fertile Kwik family, AH-1 is also referred to as the "Kwik Cobra" or "Snake".


In September 2018, the DND and the Jordanian-Arab Armed Forces signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation.


Lorenzana and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Jordan, Lieutenant General Mahmoud Freihat, signed the MOU during President Rodrigo Duterte's three-day official visit to the Middle East country in September last year.


Source : Pna.Gov.Ph.


Hopefully this news is useful to increase knowledge in the field of military defense, especially the Philippines military.


Music : is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license





COPYRIGHT:

Copyright disclaimer under section 107 of the copyright act 1976, allowance is made for 'fair use' for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statue that might otherwise be infriging. Nonprofit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.


#PhilippineAirForce #PhilippineDefense #CobraHelicopter #PhilippineHelicopter

philippine military,philippine air force,philippine helicopter,philippine army,philippine defense,cobra helicopter,philippine news,jordan helicopter,jordan air force,jordan military,