List of equipment of the Philippine Air Force

This is a list of equipment used by the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that specializes in aerial warfare. It covers active equipment, such as aircraft, ordnances, air defenses, and retired aircraft inventory.

PAF has made use of its existing equipment to fulfill its mandate while modernization projects are underway. The Republic Act No. 7898 declares the policy of the State to modernize the military to a level where it can effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty and preserve the patrimony of the republic. The law, as amended, has set conditions that should be satisfied when the defense department procures major equipment and weapon systems for the air force.

Aircraft

Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
T-50 Golden Eagle Republic of Korea light multirole / LIFT FA-50PH 12[1]
OV-10 Bronco United States light attack OV-10A/C 7[1]
Embraer EMB 314 Brazil light attack A-29B 6[1]
Reconnaissance
Cessna 208 United States ISR 208B EX 3[1][2]
Maritime Patrol
ATR 72 France / Italy maritime patrol ATR 72MP 2 on order[3]
Transport
GAF Nomad Australia transport N22B 3[1]
PTDI NC-212 Indonesia transport NC-212i 2[1] 6 on order[4][5]
CASA C-295 Spain transport / VIP transport C-295M/W 7[1][6]
C-130 Hercules United States tactical airlift C-130H/T 5[1][7][8] 3 C-130H planned to be transferred
C-130J Super Hercules United States tactical airlift C-130J-30 3 on order[1][9]
Twin Commander United States transport 690A 2[1]
Fokker F27 Netherlands transport F27-200/500 2[1]
Fokker F28 Netherlands VIP transport F28-3000 1[1]
Gulfstream G280 United States VIP transport 1[10]
Hawker 800 United States VIP transport 800XP 1[11]
Helicopters
Bell UH-1 United States utility UH-1D/H 23[1]
Bell 205 United States utility / SAR 205A 8[1] 2 are Huey II standard[citation needed]
Bell 412 United States utility / VIP transport 412EP/HP 13[12] 8 412EPX on order[13][14]
PZL W-3 Poland utility / SAR W-3A 5[1]
Sikorsky UH-60 United States utility / SAR S-70i/A-5 21[1][15] 27 S-70i on order[16]
Sikorsky S-76 United States air ambulance S-76A 9[1]
MD 500 Defender United States light attack MD 520MG 24[1]
AgustaWestland AW109 Italy armed scout / utility AW109E 8[1]
Bell AH-1 United States attack AH-1F 2[1]
TAI T129 Turkey attack T129B 6[1]
Trainer Aircraft
Cessna T-41 United States primary trainer T-41B 15[citation needed]
SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 Italy basic trainer / light attack SF-260F/MP/TP 19[1]
SIAI-Marchetti S.211 Italy jet trainer / light attack AS-211 3[1]
UAV
Boeing Insitu ScanEagle United States surveillance ScanEagle II 10[17][18]
Hermes 450 Israel surveillance 4[19]
Hermes 900 Israel surveillance 8[19][20]

Air defense equipment

Model Origin Type Notes
Surface-to-Air Missile System
SPYDER Israel Surface-to-air missile system Two batteries were inducted into service in November 2022. One more battery is expected to be delivered in 2023. Each battery has 3 Missile Firing Units.[21][22] Mounted on board Tatra T815-7 truck chassis.[23]
Anti-aircraft guns
M39 cannon United States Revolver cannon towed anti-aircraft gun taken from the PAF's retired Northrop F-5 fighters.
Ground-based Radar
IAI Elta ELM-2288ER AD-STAR Israel Air surveillance radar 3 fixed radar systems were delivered under the Air Surveillance Radar Phase 1 Project.[24] Installed at Paredes Air Station, Gozar Air Station, and Mount Salakot Air Station.[25]
IAI Elta ELM-2106NG ATAR Israel Air surveillance radar 1 mobile radar system delivered free under the Air Surveillance Radar Phase 1 Project.[24]
Mitsubishi Electric J/FPS-3ME Japan Air surveillance radar 3 fixed radar systems to be delivered under the Air Surveillance Radar Phase 2 Project.[26][27][28] The first unit was fully delivered in October 2023.[29] The first unit was turned over to the PAF on 20 December 2023, replacing the General Electric AN/FPS-6 installed at the Wallace Air Station.[30][31]
Mitsubishi Electric J/TPS-P14ME Japan Air surveillance radar 1 mobile radar system delivered under the Air Surveillance Radar Phase 2 Project.[26][28] Mounted on board a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter chassis.[32][33]

Armored vehicles

Model Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Armored personnel carriers
Cadillac Gage Commando 4×4 United States Armoured personnel carrier V-150 unknown Used for base defense[34]

Ordnance

Model Origin Type Notes
Air-to-air missile
AIM-9L/I-1 Sidewinder United States Short-range infrared missile Mounted on the FA-50PH[35]
Air-to-surface missile and precision-guided munition
AGM-65G2 Maverick United States Infrared air-to-ground missile Mounted on the FA-50PH[35]
Roketsan Cirit Turkey Air-to-surface, anti-armor missile Mounted on the T129B[36][37]
Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket Israel Precision-guided munition Test-buy for the AW109E, AH-1S and the A-29B.[38][39]
Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System United States Precision-guided munition [39][40]
Surface-to-air missile
I-Derby MR Israel Medium-range missile Used by the SPYDER-MR air defense system[22][23]
General-purpose bombs and rockets
Joint Direct Attack Munition United States Precision-guided munition [41]
Lizard 4 Israel Precision-guided munition Bought from Elbit Systems, currently used by the FA-50PH and the A-29B.[42] [43]
GBU-12 Paveway II United States Laser-guided bomb A Mark 82 bomb fitted with a paveway guidance kit.[44][45]
GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II United States Dual-mode GPS and laser-guided bomb A GBU-12 Paveway II with an added GPS guidance.[44][45]
Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket United States Air-to-ground rocket
Hydra 70 United States Air-to-ground rocket
Zuni United States Air-to-ground rocket
Mark 80 series United States General-purpose bomb

Retired aircraft

 
A Philippine F-8H Crusader
 
A F-5A at Clark Air Base
 
A UH-1N helicopter
Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Combat Aircraft
P-51 Mustang United States Fighter P-51D 103[46] in service from 1947-1980s.
F-86 Sabre United States Fighter F-86D / F-86F 20 / 50[47] in service 1957 - 1979 - replaced by the F-8 Crusader[48]
Vought F-8 Crusader United States Fighter F-8H 25[49] in service from 1977 to 1988.[50]
Northrop F-5 United States Fighter F-5A/B 37[49] in service from 1965 to 2005[51]
Douglas AC-47 United States Ground attack / CAS 12[52] retired from service
Transport
Douglas C-47 United States Transport 30[53] retired from service
Britten-Norman Islander United Kingdom Transport 22[54] licensed, produced by PADC[54]
C-123 Provider United States Transport C-123K 19[49] in service from 1975 to 1980[48]
de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Canada Utility / Transport 25[49] replaced by the BN-2A Islander in 1980[48]
Grumman HU-16 Albatross United States SAR / Utility 10[49] amphibious aircraft - retired from service
Cessna 185 United States Light utility 17[49] retired from service
Cessna 310 United States Light utility 3[49] retired from service
Cessna O-1 United States Observation 10[49] retired from service
Turbo Commander United States Utility 690A 2 retired from service
Helicopters
Sikorsky H-19 United States Utility / Transport 7[49] obtained in 1956 - retired from service
Bell 47 United States Utility 1[49] retired from service
Bell 214 United States Utility 2[55] retired from service
Bell 212 United States VIP 1[55] retired from service - replaced by the W-3 Sokół[56]
Sikorsky H-34 United States Utility 2[57] obtained in 1965 - retired from service
MBB Bo 105 Germany Utility 38[57] transferred to the Navy[58]
Sikorsky S-62 United States VIP 2[57] retired from service
Aérospatiale SA330 France Utility SA330L 2[59]
Hughes TH-55 United States Trainer 2[49] retired from service
Fairchild Hiller FH-1100 United States Utility 8[49] retired from service
Trainer Aircraft
Lockheed T-33 United States Trainer / Reconnaissance T-33/RT-33 25 / 2[49] in service from 1955 to 1970 - replaced by the Marchetti S.211
North American T-6 United States Trainer T-6G 38[49] retired from service
North American T-28 United States Trainer T-28A/D 20 / 24[49] in service from 1970 until late 1992
Beechcraft T-34 Japan Trainer T-34B 36[49] licensed, built by Fuji Industries

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "2024 World Air Forces directory". Flight Global. p. 27. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024.
  2. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (18 September 2023). "PAF set to get third C-208B reconnaissance plane from US". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  3. ^ Kadidal, Akhil (11 July 2023). "Elbit to supply two patrol aircraft to APAC country". Janes. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Additional Light Lift Aircraft Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force". Philippine Defense Resource. Archived from the original on 2023-10-17. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
  5. ^ "NC-212i Light Transport Aircraft of the Philippine Air Force". Pitz Defense Analysis. 28 May 2023. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  6. ^ Sadongdong, Martin (7 March 2023). "PAF acquires new C295 airlifter from Spain". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  7. ^ Dominguez, Gabriel (1 February 2021). "Philippines receives additional C-130H transport aircraft from US". Janes. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  8. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam. "PAF commissions another C-130 plane from US". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  9. ^ Mendoza, John Eric (17 October 2023). "DND says PH to acquire 3 brand new C-130 aircraft from US firm". Inquirer.net. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  10. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam (September 22, 2020). "PAF's new Gulfstream G280 assigned to airlift missions". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  11. ^ "PAF RECEIVES BEECHCRAFT AIRCRAFT". Philippine Air Force. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  12. ^ "Combat Utility Helicopter (Phase 2) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force". Philippine Defense Rrsource. December 26, 2020. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  13. ^ "Additional Utility Helicopters (Bell 412) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force". Philippine Defense Resource. 2023-08-06. Archived from the original on 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
  14. ^ "Philippine Air Force's Plan of Adding More Bell 412 Utility Helicopters". Pitz Defense Analysis. 10 December 2023. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  15. ^ "PH Air Force's 16 S-70i Black Hawk helicopter fleet now complete". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  16. ^ Noriega, Richa. "Philippines, Poland firm sign deal for 32 Black Hawk helicopters". GMA News Online. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  17. ^ "PHL to acquire eight more ScanEagle drones from US". Businessmirror.ph. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  18. ^ "U.S. Military Delivers Advanced Unmanned Aerial System to Philippine Air Force". U.S. Embassy in the Philippines. 2021-10-14. Archived from the original on 2024-04-16. Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  19. ^ a b "Philippine Air Force receives full delivery of Hermes 900, Hermes 450 UAVs: report". Israel Defense. September 10, 2020. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  20. ^ "PAF reports crash of Israel-built Hermes 900 drone". Inquirer.net. 29 May 2022. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  21. ^ "Philippines receives first 2 batteries of SPYDER-MR air defense missile system, 2nd C-295W aircraft". Asia Pacific Defense Journal. 9 November 2022. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  22. ^ a b "Ground Based Air Defense System (GBADS) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force". Philippine Defense Resource. March 1, 2020. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  23. ^ a b "Detailing the SPYDER Air Defense System of the Philippine Air Force". Pitz Defense Analysis. 29 January 2023. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  24. ^ a b "Air Surveillance Radar Phase 1 Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force". PH Defense Resource. July 18, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  25. ^ "Developments on the Philippine Air Defense Identification Zone Implementation". Pitz Defense Analysis. 2 July 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Mitsubishi wins contract to sell air radar system to Philippines | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis". The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 2024-06-16. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
  27. ^ "Discussing the Japanese J/FPS-3 Radar of the Philippine Air Force". Pitz Defense Analysis. 16 April 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  28. ^ a b "Japan secures first-ever major defense export with Philippine radar order". Defense News. August 28, 2020. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  29. ^ "Mitsubishi Electric Delivers the First Unit of Air-surveillance Radar System to the Philippines". Mitsubishi Electric Global Website. Public Relations Division Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. 2 November 2023. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  30. ^ "Japan turns over air surveillance radar system to PAF". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  31. ^ Royandoyan, Ramon (20 December 2023). "Philippines installs Japan-made radar to track China's moves". Nikkei Asia. Archived from the original on 20 December 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  32. ^ Mendoza, John Eric (29 April 2024). "New mobile radar system from Japan arrives in Philippines". Inquirer.net. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  33. ^ "Discussing the Japanese J/TPS-P14ME Mobile Radar of the Philippine Air Force". Pitz Defense Analysis. 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  34. ^ "Light Armor Systems Upgrade Joint Project of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force". PH Defense Resource. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  35. ^ a b "Philippine Air Force receives AIM-9L/I-1 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, AGM-65G2 Maverick air-to-ground missiles". Philippine Air Force. September 16, 2019.
  36. ^ "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
  37. ^ "The 2022 SIPRI List of Arms Transfers to the Philippines". Pitz Defense Analysis. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  38. ^ "Rocket, 2.75" with Guided Advance Tactical Rocket (GATR) Guidance System (Phase 1) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force". Philippine Defense Resource. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  39. ^ a b "15th Strike Wing - Trojans are coming in hot" (PDF). Philippine Air Force. December 2022. pp. 16–17. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  40. ^ "BAE Systems wins US Navy contract for laser-guided rockets". Naval Technology. 19 December 2019. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  41. ^ Gomez, Jim (March 22, 2012). "Philippines using US smart bombs". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on October 23, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  42. ^ "Elbit Systems' Lizard laser guided bomb kit system is among those being considered for use by the Philippine Air Force for its future fleet..."
  43. ^ "The Associated Press was able to capture a rare moment of a Rafael SPICE 2000 smart bomb about to hit its target..."
  44. ^ a b "Raytheon awarded $110 million contract for Paveway laser-guided bombs". The Defense Post. 2018-08-10. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  45. ^ a b "Philippines receives USD18 million worth of defence equipment from US". Janes. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  46. ^ Gunston 1984, p. 58.
  47. ^ Dorr 1993, pp. 65–96.
  48. ^ a b c "World's Air Forces 1980". Flight International. 1980-10-04. Retrieved 2015-08-26.
  49. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Arms Transfers Database". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  50. ^ "F-8 Crusader". Milavia.
  51. ^ Ding Cervantes (2005-09-29). "PAF to retire F-5 fleet". Philippine Star. Archived from the original on 2005-09-29. Retrieved 2009-04-08. Alt URL
  52. ^ "World Air Forces 1983 pg 364". Flightglobal Insight. 1977. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  53. ^ "World Air Forces 1976". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  54. ^ a b "In Brief - Turbine Islander". Flight International. 1984-02-04. Retrieved 2015-08-24.
  55. ^ a b "World Air Forces 1990". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  56. ^ Malig, Jun (March 9, 2012). "PAF gets 4 combat helicopters". Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  57. ^ a b c "World Air Forces 1975 pg. 308". Flightglobal Insight. 1975. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  58. ^ "World Air Forces 1995". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  59. ^ "Directory World Air Forces 2004". Flight International. Reed Business Information. 16–22 November 2004. p. 80. ISSN 0015-3710. Retrieved 16 April 2013.

Bibliography

  • Dorr, Robert F. F-86 Sabre Jet: History of the Sabre and FJ Fury. St. Paul, Minnesota: Motorbooks International Publishers, 1993. ISBN 0-87938-748-3.
  • Gunston, Bill. Aerei della seconda guerra mondiale (in Italian). Milan: Peruzzo editore, 1984. No ISBN.