iscover
The Air Force of the Philippines has recently purchased 17 SikorskyS-76 helicopters to perform a number of roles including troop and VIP transport, medevac, SAR and various utility roles. This example is a Sikorsky demonstrator configured for the anti-armour role
Asian Air Forces – Philippines
0 comment
No. 2: Philippines
The Republic of the Philippines is in a unique situation along the ASEAN states – ultimately its external security is guaranteed by the United States which has two large defence complexes on Filipino soil, specifically Clark Air Force Base and Subic Bay Naval Base.
On the other hand, the Philippines’ government is ultimately responsible for its internal security and this task creates a substantial challenge for the armed forces of the nation, for there are three guerilla groups of communist persuasion operating plus a Muslim separatist movement in the southern islands.’ The military is also an integral part of the government since President Marcos declared martial law in 1972 – the armed forces therefore are involved in civil administration, civil disaster relief, the judiciary, development projects and a wide range of civil order maintenance/internal security tasks.
The Philippines is essential to United States military operations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. US ability to project its power across these two oceans is enhanced by its continued unhampered use of Clark Air Base and Subic Bay: the USN refuels and reprovisions carrier battle groups at Subic Bay before sending them into the Indian Ocean and whilst in that ocean Subic Bay Base plays an important communications role (in conjunction with North West Cape); Clark Air Base is the only facility on the Pacific route from which a fully loaded C-5A transport can fly nonstop to Diego Garcia. In repayment for the unhindered use of these facilities, among other rewards, the Filipino government is the largest recipient of US aid in the Asian region. The Filipino armed forces also enjoy the use of American bases and training facilities.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
