PAF Attack AW-109s up for maintenance

In line with efforts to ensure the airworthiness of all its available aircraft, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is allocating the sum of PHP31,420,483.23 for the acquisition of spares needed or the maintenance of the hydraulics, aviation, and airframe systems of its brand-new AgustaWestland AW-109 “Power” attack helicopters. (Photo: Philippine Air Force/ Facebook)

MANILA–In line with efforts to ensure the airworthiness of all its available aircraft, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is allocating the sum of PHP31,420,483.23 for the acquisition of spares needed or the maintenance of the hydraulics, aviation, and airframe systems of its brand-new AgustaWestland AW-109 “Power” attack helicopters.

The said aircraft are in the thick of the fight against lawless elements and terror groups in Mindanao, supporting the older McDonnell Douglas MG-520 “Defender” attack helicopters and Rockwell OV-10 “Bronco” light bombers in their closed-air support missions.

Pre-bid conference, in a bid bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System, will be on May 5, 1 p.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

Submission and opening of bids is on May 23, 9 a.m. at the same venue, PAF bids and awards chair Brig. Gen. Nicolas Parilla said.

The first two PAF attack AW-109s were commissioned on Aug. 17, 2015 while the remaining six were formally accepted for PAF service on Dec. 5 of that year.

The Philippines signed an eight-unit attack AW-109E order with AgustaWestland in 2013 for PHP3. 44 billion.