FILE PHOTO: Logos of Airbus are seen at the Milipol Paris, the worldwide exhibition dedicated to homeland security and safety, in Villepinte near Paris, France, November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo
MANILA, Philippines — European jet maker Airbus wants to expand its helicopter business in the Philippines by providing helicopters to the government’s military force for search and rescue operations.
In a press briefing in Pasay on Tuesday, Jussi Hoikka, Airbus chief representative to the Philippines, said Airbus was offering the H225M helicopter, a multirole vehicle that can be used also for tactical transport, medical evacuation, and special operations.
“With its heavy-lift capability and adaptability, the H225M is perfectly suited for transporting personnel and equipment in the toughest of conditions,” he said.
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“We are dedicated to be here in the long run. We really want to expand by also supplying our helicopters to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),” he added.
According to uts website, Airbus has close to 90 helicopters in service in the Philippines. These include the light single-engine models such as the H125 and H130 and others like H135, H155, and ACH160.
The Airbus helicopters are being used for law enforcement, commercial charters, and VVIP (very very important person) transport, among others.
Airbus currently has a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility for these helicopters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Hoikka said it would expand its NAIA hub “if the market demands it.”
Another model Airbus is offering to the government is the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport, which can carry up to 111 tons of fuel, the highest capacity of any tanker aircraft in production today.
Hoikka said that with these models, Airbus is all set to support the AFP’s Horizon 3 program, which involves the acquisition of aircraft, vessels and radar systems to improve the military’s archipelagic defense capabilities.
“Airbus is confident of meeting the Philippines’ future military needs with our cutting-edge technologies and aircraft to help the AFP fulfill their missions to protect its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its citizens,” he added.
The Philippine Air Force has seven of Airbus’ C295 planes in its fleet. It has a capacity to transport up to nine tons of payload or up to 71 troops.
Meanwhile, Airbus will soon finalize the $24-billion purchase order made by Cebu Pacific for up to 152 jets. This is the biggest aircraft order in Philippine aviation history.