PH a ‘growing market’ for military aircraft, says Airbus
The defense and space unit of aerospace giant Airbus is open to setting up shop in the Philippines, which earlier expressed interest to build up its manufacturing capacity for military aircraft and weapons.
Johan Pelissier, Asia-Pacific head of Airbus Defense and Space, said in a virtual briefing on Monday that the country was a “growing market in the area of defense.”
The defense industry is involved in the production and distribution of military solutions across several domains, including aerospace, land, naval and cyber. According to Marketline, the local aerospace and defense market registered a compound annual growth rate of 2 percent in terms of revenues between 2015 and 2019.
Asked if the firm was planning to establish a local facility, he said: “We are always looking forward to [exploring] those kinds of developments. Definitely, it is an area that we will explore.”
Airbus’ defense portfolio includes Eurofighter Typhoon swing-role combat aircraft; A400M, C295 and CN235 airlifters; A330 multirole tanker transport; and unmanned aerial systems.
Pelissier made the statement in relation to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s (Peza) call to develop the country’s defense industry by attracting investors to the country.
Peza Director General Charito Plaza also suggested building dedicated industrial economic zones for this sector, which could modernize the country’s defense force and generate more job opportunities.
Meanwhile, Pelissier said the delivery of two of three C295 orders by the Philippines was bound to be completed in the coming months.
Inked in 2019, the Spain-assembled medium-lift transport aircraft were in line with the modernization program of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
The first was delivered just last month, expanding the C295 fleet of the PAF to five at the moment.
The PAF first ordered three C295 units from Airbus in 2014, the delivery of which were completed in 2016. It received another one about three years ago.
The C295 units have recently been deployed to bring relief aid to typhoon-stricken areas.
The Airbus official sees the possibility of the PAF ordering additional units.
“We believe there is a good potential for C295, not only as a tactical airlifter but also, in the Philippines, as a maritime patrol aircraft since the country is seeking to build a … maritime security domain … We are looking forward to [supporting] the Philippines on this journey,” he added.
