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

[TheRomanSlayer]

Poland could simply donate their older Soviet MiGs if they're eager to replace them all with Western made aircraft. Other than that, the military budget in the Philippines makes things more complicated.

[gillan1220]

Mar 4, 2022 3:44:21 GMT TheRomanSlayer said:

Poland could simply donate their older Soviet MiGs if they're eager to replace them all with Western made aircraft. Other than that, the military budget in the Philippines makes things more complicated.

Not only that, so much bureaucratic red tape. 

Sorry to the Russian fanbois, but it will never happen that the PAF will get MiGs and Sukhois.

[La Rouge Beret]

I think my point might have been unclear, namely that the PAF needs to rationalise their troop lift & CAS capability.

Right now you have older UH 1 Hueys and UH 60 Blackhawks to provide troop lift, casevac & resupply missions. It is better to standardise on the one platform for this role & the Mil 17 HIP is easier to maintain, cheaper to fly and can carry more pax/stores in a hot & humid environment. The RTAF uses them quite effectively in the same role & is also a long term American ally. Plus they can self escort if needed.

CAS can be split between Little Birds and a Super Tucano turboprop or equivalent. The Little Bird also provides a SF insert & support capability. Plus is air transportable by the USAF or other friendly allies with strategic lift - if required.

Adding a fixed wing medium lift capability, would also be a good value add too.

[gillan1220]

Mar 4, 2022 9:39:12 GMT La Rouge Beret said:

I think my point might have been unclear, namely that the PAF needs to rationalise their troop lift & CAS capability.

Right now you have older UH 1 Hueys and UH 60 Blackhawks to provide troop lift, casevac & resupply missions. It is better to standardise on the one platform for this role & the Mil 17 HIP is easier to maintain, cheaper to fly and can carry more pax/stores in a hot & humid environment. The RTAF uses them quite effectively in the same role & is also a long term American ally. Plus they can self escort if needed.

CAS can be split between Little Birds and a Super Tucano turboprop or equivalent. The Little Bird also provides a SF insert & support capability. Plus is air transportable by the USAF or other friendly allies with strategic lift - if required.

Adding a fixed wing medium lift capability, would also be a good value add too.

Emphasis on CAS has been already done. The T-129 helicopters will soon join the air fleet.

I think had the Mil Mi-35 purchase proceeded in 2016, it would have bypassed CATSAA. The latter bill was only introduced in 2017 during the early days of the Trump administration.

For medium-lift, what can you suggest? 

[La Rouge Beret]

Can't go wrong with the CH 47 Chinook, durable, versatile and bloody manoeuvrable for a big bird.

[gillan1220]

Mar 5, 2022 9:30:06 GMT La Rouge Beret said:

Can't go wrong with the CH 47 Chinook, durable, versatile and bloody manoeuvrable for a big bird.

The Chinook was considered in the 1980s.