JMSDF to give PH Navy more TC-90 planes

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is inclined to give the Philippine Navy (PN) more Beechcraft King Air TC-90 patrol aircraft, Navy flag officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad has said. (Photo By 海上自衛隊/Wikimedia)

MANILA — The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is inclined to give the Philippine Navy (PN) more Beechcraft King Air TC-90 patrol aircraft, Navy flag officer-in-command, Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad has said.

“During my last visit to Japan, the head of the JMSDF said he is inclined to give the PN more of the aircraft (TC-90) they earlier gave us,” Empedrad said in Filipino in an interview with the military-run DWDD radio on Wednesday.

The JMSDF has earlier given the Navy five TC-90 patrol aircraft, three of which have been activated while the other two are being equipped and painted for Philippine service.

The TC-90 was offered by Japan shortly after the Agreement Concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology was finalized on Feb. 29, 2016.

The TC-90 has a range of more than 1,000 nautical miles and a cruising speed of 226 knots, and is capable of carrying eight passengers, along with the pilots.

These additional TC-90s are expected to boost the Navy’s capability in intelligence surveillance reconnaissance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maritime air surveillance, Empedrad said.