A better Philippine Air Force in the Cold War to present day

[gillan1220]

Jan 7, 2021 16:49:48 GMT lordroel said:

Jan 7, 2021 16:48:34 GMT gillan1220 said:

Some have proposed Harriers and Sea Harriers (for the navy) after seeing its performance in The Falklands War. Unfortunately, Harriers are expensive to maintain.

In the 1980s, the PLAAF was looking to purchase the Harrier from Britain and the Dassault Mirage 2000 from France. At this period, the PAF was thinking of getting the A-10. Interesting period of history.

Looking at this thread the Philippine Air Force had a big wish list during the Cold War.

Big wishlist but unfortunately fizzled out for the majority of the acquisitions.

[lordroel]

Jan 7, 2021 17:09:58 GMT gillan1220 said:

Jan 7, 2021 16:49:48 GMT lordroel said:

Looking at this thread the Philippine Air Force had a big wish list during the Cold War.

Big wishlist but unfortunately fizzled out for the majority of the acquisitions.

Where would they get the money from, is there a large oil field ore gold mine i do not know of.

[TheRomanSlayer]

True, and with the current state of the Philippine economy, it needs at least another ten years until the Philippines would become at least a Second World nation, evolving from a Third World nation.

[gillan1220]

I really like the Aerospatiale Gazelle helicopter. I'm not sure if this was in the interest of the Air Force but probably is redundant because its role is filled by the MD-520G and the AW-109E.

[stevep]

Jan 8, 2021 6:20:23 GMT TheRomanSlayer said:

True, and with the current state of the Philippine economy, it needs at least another ten years until the Philippines would become at least a Second World nation, evolving from a Third World nation.

  Interesting and missed this earlier.  When I was a lad - several decades back - 3rd world meant the undeveloped countries as now but 1st and 2nd meant the west and the Soviet/Communist bloc.  Sounds like the meaning has changed since then as I doubt your intending to say the Philippines would go through a communists phase before becoming western/fully developed.

[TheRomanSlayer]

Mar 19, 2021 11:32:15 GMT stevep said:

Jan 8, 2021 6:20:23 GMT TheRomanSlayer said:

True, and with the current state of the Philippine economy, it needs at least another ten years until the Philippines would become at least a Second World nation, evolving from a Third World nation.

  Interesting and missed this earlier.  When I was a lad - several decades back - 3rd world meant the undeveloped countries as now but 1st and 2nd meant the west and the Soviet/Communist bloc.  Sounds like the meaning has changed since then as I doubt your intending to say the Philippines would go through a communists phase before becoming western/fully developed.

It might be ASB to say that the Philippines will reach First World status by say, 2040, as long as there are far too many factors to consider.

[gillan1220]

Alternate Philippine Air Force by kyuzoaoi

[gillan1220]

PH Air Force says 2 new Turkish-made attack choppers arriving in December. This was either planned since 2018 or 2019 but Turkey getting sanctioned by the U.S. over the S-400 deal delayed to this 2021.

[lordroel]

Nov 28, 2021 12:23:36 GMT gillan1220 said:

PH Air Force says 2 new Turkish-made attack choppers arriving in December. This was either planned since 2018 or 2019 but Turkey getting sanctioned by the U.S. over the S-400 deal delayed to this 2021.

Only six of them, that is not a big number.

[gillan1220]

Nov 28, 2021 12:27:55 GMT lordroel said:

Nov 28, 2021 12:23:36 GMT gillan1220 said:

PH Air Force says 2 new Turkish-made attack choppers arriving in December. This was either planned since 2018 or 2019 but Turkey getting sanctioned by the U.S. over the S-400 deal delayed to this 2021.

Only six of them, that is not a big number.

The Defenders, Cobras, and AW-109s already fill that role. Having six more attack helicopters is a big knife on a stick.

[lordroel]

Nov 28, 2021 12:32:51 GMT gillan1220 said:

Nov 28, 2021 12:27:55 GMT lordroel said:

Only six of them, that is not a big number.

The Defenders, Cobras, and AW-109s already fill that role. Having six more attack helicopters is a big knife on a stick.

15 MD 500 Defenders.

2 Bell AH-1s.

8 AgustaWestland AW109s.

Having fewer helicopters of one time might be a bit expensive on maintaining them i think.

[TheRomanSlayer]

I wonder what the next administration will do to keep an eye on the Modernization of the Philippine Air Force, since they have China to worry about. Maybe they could procure some more anti aircraft equipment?

[gillan1220]

Mar 1, 2022 8:01:39 GMT TheRomanSlayer said:

I wonder what the next administration will do to keep an eye on the Modernization of the Philippine Air Force, since they have China to worry about. Maybe they could procure some more anti aircraft equipment?

The F-16V and the JAS Gripen 39 is what the DND has been eyeing.

[La Rouge Beret]

Shouldn't the PAF look at and consider the logistical requirements of maintaining small numbers of multi role helicopters from a variety of sources? Better to have a larger pool of aircraft with high levels of parts commonalities to facilitate maintenance (fleet upgrades / planned maintenance) & ease of training. You can also generate a larger pool of spares and create a local industry to supply the spares due to the fleet size.

An example of this would be acquiring Mil 35 Hind & Mil 17 Hip helicopters as they have like 70 / 80 % parts commonality, same with the UH - 1N Huey & the AH - 1Z Viper. These are the 'hacks' used by a smaller Air Force, alternatively does the Air Force need an attack helicopter? Could a fleet of UH 60 Blackhawks with a squadron of UH 60 Direct Action Penetrator perform the role more effectively or are Little Birds more appropriate to the threat environment?

In short procurement practices need to be improved.

[gillan1220]

Mar 3, 2022 23:23:33 GMT La Rouge Beret said:

Shouldn't the PAF look at and consider the logistical requirements of maintaining small numbers of multi role helicopters from a variety of sources? Better to have a larger pool of aircraft with high levels of parts commonalities to facilitate maintenance (fleet upgrades / planned maintenance) & ease of training. You can also generate a larger pool of spares and create a local industry to supply the spares due to the fleet size.

An example of this would be acquiring Mil 35 Hind & Mil 17 Hip helicopters as they have like 70 / 80 % parts commonality, same with the UH - 1N Huey & the AH - 1Z Viper. These are the 'hacks' used by a smaller Air Force, alternatively does the Air Force need an attack helicopter? Could a fleet of UH 60 Blackhawks with a squadron of UH 60 Direct Action Penetrator perform the role more effectively or are Little Birds more appropriate to the threat environment?

In short procurement practices need to be improved.

Russian choppers are a no-go because of CAATSA. The PAF already has reactivated the Hueys because of the recent typhoon in December 2021. No news on the Viper, but what is certain is the PAF has two AH-1 Cobras donated from Jordan in 2019 and will begin using the T-129 ATAK helicopter.

The UH-60s come in the form of Polish S-70s, which replaced the Hueys in 2021. The closest thing to a Little Bird is the MD-520G Defender. Emphasis has been placed on CAS aircraft because of the nature of insurgency in the jungles and the mountains.