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Air Force getting 30 attack, combat helicopters this year – report

January 12, 2017 Gracel Ortega Nation

During the 69th founding anniversary celebration of the Philippine Air Force last July 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to procure more helicopters with night vision capabilities. “We will acquire more helicopters and night vision capability. ‘Yan ang nagha-hamper e. If I have that then we can improve our performance,” President Duterte said during the celebration.

This vow from the President is now on progress, as per MaxDefense Philippines’ report. “Based on information gathered from MaxDefense sources, the Philippine Air Force is expected to proceed the process of procuring 30 helicopters this year,” MaxDefense said in a post today on its Facebook page.

MaxDefense sees that these helicopters will be proportioned into AgustaWestland AW-109 (Power) armed helicopters and Bell 412EP combat utility helicopters (CUH).

President Duterte previously said that AFP modernization will continue.

“There will even be no refocusing of modernization thrust, we will only adjust our priorities,” the President said during his first visit to 6th Infantry Division headquarters in Camp Siongco, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. “For the time being, we will be attending to the more pressing needs of our soldiers now engaged in focused military operation in Basilan, Sulu, Central Mindanao, and other areas in southern Philippines.”

“The procurements will be more of force protection equipment (FPE) for our soldiers like helmets and vests, more night-fighting systems capability, additional fast crafts for our Navy, additional helicopters capable of night flight for the Navy and Air Force, and more communications equipment,” the President said.

Leonardo to develop Mangusta replacement for Italy

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
16 January 2017
 

The Italian Army is looking to replace its Mangusta helicopters that have been in service since 1990 with a new type to be developed by Leonardo under the NEES programme. Source: Italian Army

Leonardo has been contracted to develop a replacement for the A129 Mangusta armed reconnaissance and attack helicopter for the Italian armed forces, the company announced on 13 January.

The multiyear contract is for the study, development, industrialisation, production, and testing of a prototype and three initial production platforms under the 'New Exploration and Escort Helicopter' (NEES) programme for the Italian Army (Esercito Italiano: EI).

According to Leonardo, the EI requires 48 helicopters to replace its current fleet of A129 Mangustas that are due to be retired by 2025. No further details on the new helicopter or its development programme were disclosed by the company in its announcement, except to say that it will produce "an even more technologically advanced product, with greater performance and lower operating costs, to meet arising needs in evolving scenarios for the next 30 years".

The EI received its original 66 A129s (designated EA-1 in national service) between 1990 and 2004, with 49 currently in service. The tandem twin-seat helicopter has gone through a number of upgrades during its time with the army, and has been deployed operationally in theatres such as Afghanistan.

for the kor marinir?

huh.. 3 units already counted as TOT? wondering are they really going to build an assembly line just for 3? or they have one under utilized? learn for?

The acquisition, which received an official greenlight from the Indonesian House of Representatives' commission on defence, intelligence, and foreign affairs (Komisi I) in mid-January 2017, was approved with the condition that the final three airframes undergo final fit-out at state-owned PT Dirgantara's facilities in Bandung.

IHS Jane's also understands that provisions will be made in the contract to allow Indonesian engineers to study and observe the assembly of various major aircraft components, including wings and fuselage shells, for the first two airframes in Seville, Spain.

Fertile, black volcanic soil...meters underneath can find ancient candi, after being forgotten for centuries through dozens of eruptions