NAN-F-15
Security
Manila, March 27, 2017 (dpa/NAN) The Philippine Navy on Monday said it had received two Beechcraft TC90 training aircraft from Japan to boost the country’s maritime security, Defence Secretary Delfin, Lorenzana said.
This came amid territorial disputes with China,
Lorenzana said in a statement that the Beechcraft planes were being leased to the Philipines by Japan under an agreement signed in February.
He said that three other units were expected to arrive by the middle of 2018.
“These newly-acquired planes are expected to enhance our country’s capacity in maritime security, as well as provide the Philippine Navy the needed air assets for their missions.
“Aside from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, the aircraft would also be utilised for “maritime air surveillance and intelligence surveillance reconnaissance in support of maritime security operations.
“The Philippine Navy will pay 28,000 dollars per year for the aircraft lease “while awaiting for the legal framework that would allow Japan to donate defence equipment to foreign countries,” he said.
Lorenzana said the transfer of defence material to the Philippines was the first in South-East Asia, and would also help contribute “to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region”.
The Philippines has been working to improve relations with China.
The relations soured due to territorial disputes in the South China Sea and Manila’s filing of an arbitration case against Beijing before an international tribunal.
In July, the tribunal invalidated China’s claims to nearly the entire South China Sea, a key shipping lane believed to be rich in mineral and marine resources, a decision that Beijing has ignored. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Abdullahi Yusuf