PAF in the market for C-295 communication, navigation spares

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is allocating the sum of PHP30.31 million for the acquisition of spare parts needed for the maintenance of the communication and navigation system of its three brand-new Airbus Military C-295 medium transport aircraft. (Photo: Hukbong Sandatahan Ng Pilipinas/Facebook)

MANILA—The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is allocating the sum of PHP30.31 million for the acquisition of spare parts needed for the maintenance of the communication and navigation system of its three brand-new Airbus Military C-295 medium transport aircraft.

In a bid bulletin posted at the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System website, PAF bids and awards chair, Brig. Gen. Nicolas Parilla, said the parts are for C-295 with tail numbers 129, 140 and 142.

Pre-bid conference is at 1 p.m. on April 21 at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City, while submission and opening of bids is at 9 a.m. on May 5 at the same venue.

The PAF has three C-295 in its inventory. All three are assigned to the 220th Airlift Wing, which is based in Mactan, Cebu. All three planes are worth PHP5.3 billion.

It uses the medium lift aircraft for tactical and medium airlift requirements, and are essential to internal security operations in ferrying personnel and logistical requirements of different line/combat units to any part of the country.

The timely deployment of troops and supplies is vital to ensure the success of any military operation.

The Airbus Military C-295 is a new generation, very robust and reliable, highly versatile tactical airlifter able to carry up to nine tons of payload or up to 71 personnel, at a maximum cruise speed of 260 kt/480 km/h.

Fitted with a retractable landing gear and a pressurized cabin, it can cruise at altitudes up to 25,000 ft., while retaining remarkable short take-off and landing (STOL) performance from unprepared short, soft and rough airstrips, as well as low-level flight characteristics.