Philippines orders A-29 attack aircraft to deal with rebels

(Baonghean.vn) -The Philippine military, currently battling both Islamic State-linked militants and leftist opposition rebels, is purchasing six Brazilian-made A-29 fighter jets to carry out close air support missions, using air power to attack enemies approaching ground forces, the Philippine Defense Ministry announced on December 1.

Philippines orders A-29 attack aircraft to deal with rebels. Photo: AP

According to the Ministry, Brazilian defense company Embraer has been announced as the winning bidder for the supply of six turboprop aircraft worth $98.5 million.

The Philippine Department of National Defense stated: “The A-29 is the aircraft of first choice to perform close air support missions for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).”

In a separate statement, Embraer said it had received an order from Manila for “six Super Tucano A-29 light attack aircraft and advanced trainer aircraft,” following a rigorous public bidding and evaluation process. Both the Philippine defense ministry and Embraer said deliveries of the aircraft would begin in 2019.

The Philippine government has not said where the aircraft will be deployed, but the Philippine military, which is poorly equipped, has long sought new fighter jets to deal with Muslim extremists in the south and leftist rebels in the country's remotest areas./.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)