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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Japan donates 5 spy planes

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THE Japanese government has donated five propeller-type Beech Craft aircraft to the Philippines to enhance its maritime surveillance capabilities particularly in the disputed West Philippine Sea, an official said Wednesday.

Defense Public Affairs Chief Arsenio Andolong said the donation was announced during the bilateral talks between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe and President Rodrigo Duterte during the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.

“We welcome that gesture of Japan and the addition of these five aircraft to our inventory will greatly enhance our capability to monitor and conduct search and rescue within out territory,” Andolong said.

Two of the aircraft has been delivered and the three remaining planes are expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2018.

The Japanese maritime self-defense force have used the aircraft as trainer planes and were later reconfigured for photographic aerial surveys.

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The TC90 twin turboprop Beech Craft has previously been leased by Japan’s defense ministry to the Philippines at $28,000 for five aircraft yearly.    

Defense Undersecretary for Finance and Materiel Raymundo Elefante said the Philippine government would be installing surveillance equipment on the planes.

“The planes would not only be deployed in West Philippine Sea but also in Benham Rise,” Elefante said.

The Japanese government has agreed to help the Philippine military enhance its maritime patrols over the West Philippine Sea that is being claimed by China.    

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