List of equipment of the Philippine Air Force explained

This is a list of equipment used by the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that specializes in aerial warfare. It covers active equipment, such as aircraft, ordnances, air defenses, and retired aircraft inventory.

PAF has made use of its existing equipment to fulfill its mandate while modernization projects are underway. The Republic Act No. 7898 declares the policy of the State to modernize the military to a level where it can effectively and fully perform its constitutional mandate to uphold the sovereignty and preserve the patrimony of the republic. The law, as amended, has set conditions that should be satisfied when the defense department procures major equipment and weapon systems for the air force.

Aircraft

AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes
Combat Aircraft
T-50 Golden EagleRepublic of Korealight multirole / LIFTFA-50PH12[1]
OV-10 BroncoUnited Stateslight attackOV-10A/C7
Embraer EMB 314Brazillight attackA-29B6
Reconnaissance
Cessna 208United StatesISR3[2]
Maritime Patrol
ATR 72France / Italymaritime patrolATR 72MP2 on order[3]
Transport
GAF NomadAustraliatransport N22B3
PTDI NC-212IndonesiatransportNC-212i26 on order[4] [5]
CASA C-295Spaintransport / VIP transport7[6]
C-130 HerculesUnited Statestactical airliftC-130H/T5[7] [8] 3 C-130H planned to be transferred
C-130J Super HerculesUnited Statestactical airliftC-130J-303 on order[9]
Twin CommanderUnited Statestransport 690A2
Fokker F27NetherlandstransportF27-200/5002
Fokker F28NetherlandsVIP transport1
Gulfstream G280United StatesVIP transport1[10]
Hawker 800United StatesVIP transport800XP1[11]
Helicopters
Bell UH-1United Statesutility UH-1D/H23
Bell 205United Statesutility / SAR205A82 are Huey II standard
Bell 412United Statesutility / VIP transport412EP/HP13[12] 8 412EPX on order[13] [14]
PZL W-3Polandutility / SARW-3A5
Sikorsky UH-60United Statesutility / SARS-70i/A-521[15] 27 S-70i on order[16]
Sikorsky S-76United Statesair ambulanceS-76A9
MD 500 DefenderUnited Stateslight attackMD 520MG24
AgustaWestland AW109Italyarmed scout / utility AW109E8
Bell AH-1United StatesattackAH-1F2
TAI T129TurkeyattackT129B6
Trainer Aircraft
Cessna T-41United Statesprimary trainerT-41B15
SIAI-Marchetti SF.260Italybasic trainer / light attack SF-260F/MP/TP19
SIAI-Marchetti S.211Italyjet trainer / light attack 3
UAV
Boeing Insitu ScanEagleUnited StatessurveillanceScanEagle II10[17] [18]
Hermes 450Israelsurveillance4[19]
Hermes 900Israelsurveillance8[20]

Air defense equipment

ModelOriginTypeNotes
Surface-to-Air Missile System
SPYDERIsraelSurface-to-air missile systemTwo batteries were inducted into service in November 2022. One more battery was delivered in November 2024. Each battery has 3 Missile Firing Units.[21] Mounted on board Tatra T815-7 truck chassis.[22]
Anti-aircraft guns
M39 cannonUnited StatesRevolver cannontowed anti-aircraft gun taken from the PAF's retired Northrop F-5 fighters.
Ground-based Radar
IAI Elta ELM-2288ER AD-STARIsraelAir surveillance radar3 fixed radar systems were delivered under the Air Surveillance Radar Phase 1 Project.[23] Installed at Paredes Air Station, Gozar Air Station, and Mount Salakot Air Station.[24]
IAI Elta ELM-2106NG ATARIsraelAir surveillance radar1 mobile radar system delivered free under the Air Surveillance Radar Phase 1 Project.
Mitsubishi Electric J/FPS-3MEJapanAir surveillance radar3 fixed radar systems to be delivered under the Air Surveillance Radar Phase 2 Project.[25] [26] [27] The first unit was fully delivered in October 2023.[28] The first unit was turned over to the PAF on 20 December 2023, replacing the General Electric AN/FPS-6 installed at the Wallace Air Station.[29] [30]
Mitsubishi Electric J/TPS-P14MEJapanAir surveillance radar1 mobile radar system delivered under the Air Surveillance Radar Phase 2 Project. Mounted on board a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter chassis.[31] [32]

Ordnance

ModelOriginTypeNotes
Air-to-air missile
AIM-9L/I-1 SidewinderUnited StatesMounted on the FA-50PH[34]
Air-to-surface missile and precision-guided munition
AGM-65G2 MaverickUnited StatesInfrared air-to-ground missileMounted on the FA-50PH
Roketsan CiritTurkeyAir-to-surface, anti-armor missileMounted on the T129B[35] [36]
IsraelPrecision-guided munitionTest-buy for the AW109E, AH-1S and the A-29B.[37] [38]
United StatesPrecision-guided munition[39]
Surface-to-air missile
I-Derby MRIsraelMedium-range missileUsed by the SPYDER-MR air defense system[40]
General-purpose bombs and rockets
Joint Direct Attack MunitionUnited StatesPrecision-guided munition[41]
Lizard 4IsraelPrecision-guided munitionBought from Elbit Systems, currently used by the FA-50PH and the A-29B.[42] [43]
GBU-12 Paveway IIUnited StatesLaser-guided bombA Mark 82 bomb fitted with a paveway guidance kit.[44] [45]
GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway IIUnited StatesDual-mode GPS and laser-guided bombA GBU-12 Paveway II with an added GPS guidance.
Folding-Fin Aerial RocketUnited StatesAir-to-ground rocket
Hydra 70United StatesAir-to-ground rocket
ZuniUnited StatesAir-to-ground rocket
Mark 80 seriesUnited StatesGeneral-purpose bomb

Retired aircraft

AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes
Combat Aircraft
P-51 MustangUnited StatesFighterP-51D103[46] in service from 1947-1980s.
F-86 SabreUnited StatesFighterF-86D / F-86F20 / 50[47] in service 1957 - 1979 - replaced by the F-8 Crusader[48]
United StatesFighter25[49] in service from 1977 to 1988.[50]
Northrop F-5United StatesFighterF-5A/B37in service from 1965 to 2005[51]
Douglas AC-47United StatesGround attack / CAS12[52] retired from service
Transport
Douglas C-47United StatesTransport 30[53] retired from service
Britten-Norman IslanderUnited KingdomTransport 22[54] licensed, produced by PADC
C-123 ProviderUnited StatesTransport C-123K19in service from 1975 to 1980
de Havilland Canada DHC-2CanadaUtility / Transport25replaced by the BN-2A Islander in 1980
Grumman HU-16 AlbatrossUnited StatesSAR / Utility 10amphibious aircraft - retired from service
Cessna 185United StatesLight utility17retired from service
Cessna 310United StatesLight utility3retired from service
Cessna O-1United StatesObservation10retired from service
Turbo CommanderUnited StatesUtility690A2retired from service
Helicopters
Sikorsky H-19United StatesUtility / Transport 7obtained in 1956 - retired from service
Bell 47United StatesUtility 1retired from service
Bell 214United StatesUtility 2[55] retired from service
Bell 212United StatesVIP1retired from service - replaced by the W-3 Sokół[56]
Sikorsky H-34United StatesUtility 2[57] obtained in 1965 - retired from service
MBB Bo 105GermanyUtility 38transferred to the Navy[58]
Sikorsky S-62United StatesVIP2retired from service
Aérospatiale SA330FranceUtilitySA330L2[59]
Hughes TH-55United StatesTrainer 2retired from service
Fairchild Hiller FH-1100United StatesUtility 8retired from service
Trainer Aircraft
Lockheed T-33United StatesTrainer / ReconnaissanceT-33/RT-3325 / 2
North American T-6United StatesTrainer T-6G38retired from service
North American T-28United StatesTrainerT-28A/D20 / 24in service from 1970 until late 1992
Beechcraft T-34JapanTrainerT-34B36licensed, built by Fuji Industries

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024 World Air Forces directory . 27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204114456/https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=98881 . 4 February 2024 . live. . en.
  2. Web site: Nepomuceno . Priam . 18 September 2023 . PAF set to get third C-208B reconnaissance plane from US . live . https://archive.today/20240416010120/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1210039 . 16 April 2024 . 16 April 2024 . Philippine News Agency.
  3. Web site: Kadidal . Akhil . 11 July 2023 . Elbit to supply two patrol aircraft to APAC country . live . https://archive.today/20230711133315/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/elbit-to-supply-two-patrol-aircraft-to-apac-country . 11 July 2023 . 11 July 2023 . Janes.
  4. Web site: Additional Light Lift Aircraft Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231017004032/https://www.phdefresource.com/2022/11/additional-light-lift-aircraft.html . 2023-10-17 . 2023-04-14 . Philippine Defense Resource.
  5. Web site: 28 May 2023 . NC-212i Light Transport Aircraft of the Philippine Air Force . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231205125155/https://www.pitzdefanalysis.net/2023/04/nc-212i-light-transport-aircraft-of-paf.html . 5 December 2023 . 16 April 2024 . Pitz Defense Analysis.
  6. Web site: Sadongdong . Martin . 7 March 2023 . PAF acquires new C295 airlifter from Spain . live . https://archive.today/20231019023541/https://mb.com.ph/2023/03/07/paf-acquires-new-c295-airlifter-from-spain/ . 19 October 2023 . 7 March 2023 . Manila Bulletin.
  7. Web site: Dominguez . Gabriel . 1 February 2021 . Philippines receives additional C-130H transport aircraft from US . live . https://archive.today/20240416010352/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/philippines-receives-additional-c-130h-transport-aircraft-from-us . 16 April 2024 . 19 February 2024 . Janes.
  8. Web site: Nepomuceno . Priam . PAF commissions another C-130 plane from US . May 24, 2024 . Philippine News Agency.
  9. Web site: Mendoza . John Eric . 17 October 2023 . DND says PH to acquire 3 brand new C-130 aircraft from US firm . live . https://archive.today/20231017103355/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1847158/dnd-says-ph-to-acquire-brand-new-c-130-aircraft-from-us-firm . 17 October 2023 . 17 October 2023 . Inquirer.net.
  10. Web site: PAF's new Gulfstream G280 assigned to airlift missions . . Nepomuceno . Priam . September 22, 2020 . September 24, 2020.
  11. Web site: PAF RECEIVES BEECHCRAFT AIRCRAFT . 6 May 2022 . 6 May 2022 . Philippine Air Force.
  12. Web site: Combat Utility Helicopter (Phase 2) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force. Philippine Defense Rrsource. December 26, 2020. December 27, 2020.
  13. Web site: 2023-08-06 . Additional Utility Helicopters (Bell 412) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926201604/https://www.phdefresource.com/2023/08/additional-utility-helicopters-bell-412.html . 2023-09-26 . 2023-08-07 . Philippine Defense Resource.
  14. Web site: 10 December 2023 . Philippine Air Force's Plan of Adding More Bell 412 Utility Helicopters . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116145506/https://www.pitzdefanalysis.net/2023/11/paf-plan-of-adding-more-bell-412ep-cuh.html . 16 January 2024 . 12 December 2023 . Pitz Defense Analysis.
  15. Web site: PH Air Force's 16 S-70i Black Hawk helicopter fleet now complete . https://archive.today/20230322012257/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/06/21/ph-air-force-s-70i-black-hawk-fleet-now-complete . 22 March 2023 . 7 May 2023 . ABS-CBN News.
  16. Web site: Noriega . Richa . Philippines, Poland firm sign deal for 32 Black Hawk helicopters . live . https://archive.today/20231019024447/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/822693/philippines-poland-firm-sign-deal-for-32-black-hawk-helicopters/story/ . 19 October 2023 . 2 February 2022 . GMA News Online . en.
  17. Web site: PHL to acquire eight more ScanEagle drones from US . live . https://archive.today/20231019023844/https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/06/06/phl-to-acquire-eight-more-scaneagle-drones-from-us/ . 19 October 2023 . 6 June 2019 . Businessmirror.ph.
  18. Web site: 2021-10-14 . U.S. Military Delivers Advanced Unmanned Aerial System to Philippine Air Force . live . https://archive.today/20240416010624/https://ph.usembassy.gov/u-s-military-delivers-advanced-unmanned-aerial-system-to-philippine-air-force/ . 2024-04-16 . 2021-10-14 . U.S. Embassy in the Philippines . en-US.
  19. Web site: September 10, 2020 . Philippine Air Force receives full delivery of Hermes 900, Hermes 450 UAVs: report . live . https://archive.today/20230807144812/https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/45190 . August 7, 2023 . September 10, 2020 . Israel Defense.
  20. Web site: 29 May 2022 . PAF reports crash of Israel-built Hermes 900 drone . live . https://archive.today/20230807144524/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1603762/israel-built-hermes-900-drone-of-paf-crashed-in-cagayan-de-oro . 7 August 2023 . 29 May 2022 . Inquirer.net.
  21. Web site: 9 November 2022 . Philippines receives first 2 batteries of SPYDER-MR air defense missile system, 2nd C-295W aircraft . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230929043847/https://www.asiapacificdefensejournal.com/2022/11/philippines-receives-first-2-batteries.html . 29 September 2023 . 9 November 2022 . Asia Pacific Defense Journal.
  22. Web site: 29 January 2023 . Detailing the SPYDER Air Defense System of the Philippine Air Force . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230325103709/https://www.pitzdefanalysis.net/2022/02/detailing-spyder-ground-based-air-defense-system-paf.html . 25 March 2023 . 7 May 2023 . Pitz Defense Analysis.
  23. Web site: Air Surveillance Radar Phase 1 Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force. PH Defense Resource. July 18, 2020. August 18, 2020.
  24. Web site: 2 July 2023 . Developments on the Philippine Air Defense Identification Zone Implementation . 5 July 2023 . Pitz Defense Analysis.
  25. Web site: Mitsubishi wins contract to sell air radar system to Philippines The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis . live . https://archive.today/20240616014006/https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13247035 . 2024-06-16 . 2023-07-05 . The Asahi Shimbun . en.
  26. Web site: 16 April 2023 . Discussing the Japanese J/FPS-3 Radar of the Philippine Air Force . 7 August 2023 . Pitz Defense Analysis.
  27. Web site: August 28, 2020 . Japan secures first-ever major defense export with Philippine radar order . live . https://archive.today/20200830125321/https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2020/08/28/japan-secures-first-ever-defense-export-with-philippine-radar-order/ . August 30, 2020 . September 29, 2020 . Defense News.
  28. Web site: 2 November 2023 . Mitsubishi Electric Delivers the First Unit of Air-surveillance Radar System to the Philippines . live . https://archive.today/20240616014308/https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/news/2023/1102.html . 16 June 2024 . 4 November 2023 . Mitsubishi Electric Global Website . Public Relations Division Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.
  29. News: Japan turns over air surveillance radar system to PAF . live . https://archive.today/20240416011152/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1215758 . 16 April 2024 . 16 April 2024 . Philippine News Agency.
  30. News: Royandoyan . Ramon . 20 December 2023 . Philippines installs Japan-made radar to track China's moves . live . https://archive.today/20231220170228/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Philippines-installs-Japan-made-radar-to-track-China-s-moves . 20 December 2023 . 16 April 2024 . Nikkei Asia.
  31. Web site: Mendoza . John Eric . 29 April 2024 . New mobile radar system from Japan arrives in Philippines . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240429142018/https://globalnation.inquirer.net/233806/new-mobile-radar-system-from-japan-arrives-in-philippines . 29 April 2024 . 29 April 2024 . Inquirer.net.
  32. Web site: 16 June 2024 . Discussing the Japanese J/TPS-P14ME Mobile Radar of the Philippine Air Force . 16 June 2024 . Pitz Defense Analysis.
  33. Web site: 11 January 2020 . Light Armor Systems Upgrade Joint Project of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force . 24 September 2023 . PH Defense Resource.
  34. Web site: Philippine Air Force receives AIM-9L/I-1 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, AGM-65G2 Maverick air-to-ground missiles . Philippine Air Force . September 16, 2019.
  35. Web site: Trade Registers . 2022-04-06 . armstrade.sipri.org.
  36. Web site: 26 March 2023 . The 2022 SIPRI List of Arms Transfers to the Philippines . 19 October 2023 . Pitz Defense Analysis.
  37. Web site: Rocket, 2.75" with Guided Advance Tactical Rocket (GATR) Guidance System (Phase 1) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force . Philippine Defense Resource . 27 October 2020.
  38. Web site: 15th Strike Wing - Trojans are coming in hot . Philippine Air Force . 15 March 2023 . 16–17 . December 2022.
  39. Web site: 19 December 2019 . BAE Systems wins US Navy contract for laser-guided rockets . https://archive.today/20230321000247/https://www.naval-technology.com/news/bae-systems-wins-us-navy-contract-for-laser-guided-rockets/ . 21 March 2023 . 7 May 2023 . Naval Technology.
  40. Web site: March 1, 2020 . Ground Based Air Defense System (GBADS) Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926181301/https://www.phdefresource.com/2020/03/ground-based-air-defense-system-gbads.html . 26 September 2023 . March 1, 2020 . Philippine Defense Resource.
  41. Web site: Gomez . Jim . March 22, 2012 . Philippines using US smart bombs . live . https://archive.today/20161023201611/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/165819/philippines-using-us-smart-bombs . October 23, 2016 . March 23, 2012 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  42. Web site: Elbit Systems' Lizard laser guided bomb kit system is among those being considered for use by the Philippine Air Force for its future fleet..... .
  43. Web site: The Associated Press was able to capture a rare moment of a Rafael SPICE 2000 smart bomb about to hit its target...... .
  44. Web site: 2018-08-10. Raytheon awarded $110 million contract for Paveway laser-guided bombs. 2021-09-28. The Defense Post. en-US.
  45. Web site: Philippines receives USD18 million worth of defence equipment from US . November 24, 2020. Janes . en.
  46. Gunston 1984, p. 58.
  47. Dorr 1993, pp. 65–96.
  48. 1980-10-04 . World's Air Forces 1980 . Flight International . 2015-08-26.
  49. Web site: Arms Transfers Database. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 14 September 2021.
  50. http://www.milavia.net/aircraft/f-8/f-8_his.htm "F-8 Crusader".
  51. Web site: Ding Cervantes . PAF to retire F-5 fleet . http://web.archive.org/web/20050929000000/http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200509299901.htm . Philippine Star . 2005-09-29 . 2005-09-29 . 2009-04-08. Alt URL
  52. Web site: World Air Forces 1983 pg 364 . Flightglobal Insight . 1977. 2 November 2017.
  53. Web site: World Air Forces 1976 . flightglobal.com . 2 November 2017.
  54. 1984-02-04 . In Brief - Turbine Islander . Flight International . 2015-08-24.
  55. Web site: World Air Forces 1990. flightglobal.com . 2 November 2017.
  56. News: Jun. Malig. PAF gets 4 combat helicopters. March 9, 2012. November 25, 2021.
  57. Web site: World Air Forces 1975 pg. 308 . Flightglobal Insight . 1975. 24 November 2017.
  58. Web site: World Air Forces 1995. flightglobal.com . 2 November 2017.
  59. 16–22 November 2004. Directory World Air Forces 2004. Flight International. Reed Business Information. 80. 0015-3710. 16 April 2013.

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