The Philippine Navy finally received two brand new anti-submarine helicopters worth P5.4 billion from United Kingdom on Monday. This is the first time the Navy's capability to detect and destroy submarines intruding Philippine waters illegally.
AW159s were flown from Leonardo's facility in Yeovil to London-Stansted Airport in the UK to prepare for airfreighting to the Philippines. Photo credited to Westleigh Bushell and Spotter Magazine.
The Navy acquired two Agusta Westland AW-159 Mk. 220 Wildcat anti-submarine warfare naval helicopters. The helicopters are delivered from the UK via Antonov An-124 Ruslan heavy strategic airlifter.
These would be armed with anti-submarine torpedoes, short-range air-to-surface missiles, and machine guns. The helicopters are expected to be use as a main unit of naval helicopter squadron. The helicopters will also complement the upcoming Jose Rizal class frigates under construction in South Korea which expected to deliver by early 2020.
The new helicopters will undergo inspection and a series of tests before joining the Navy's anniversary later this month.
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