The Philippine air force will buy 18 trainer planes from Italian aircraft manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi for 625 million pesos (14.6 million dollars), an air force spokesman said Saturday.
The contract for the 18 SF260 trainer planes includes pilot, technical, and maintenance training, spare parts support and other after sales services support said Lieutenant Jonelle Beltran.
The planes are scheduled to be delivered in batches starting June next year and will be used for pilot training, he added.
Under the terms of the contract, Alenia Aermacchi will transfer some parts production technology and aircraft assembly to its local partner, distributor, and authorised service station Aerotech Industries Philippines Inc., Beltran added.
The Philippines has one of the most poorly equipped air forces in the region. While the government has sought to modernise its equipment, it has been hampered by a lack of funds.
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