The Philippine Navy is preparing to deploy weaponized versions of its AgustaWestland AW109 helicopter on board its Pilar-class frigates, the Navy's director of public affairs said Wednesday.
According to Commander Lued Lincuna, the frigates had previously embarked non-weaponized versions of the helicopter for testing, qualification, and crew familiarization
The Navy has three non-weaponized AW109s – delivered in December 2013 – and commissioned two weaponized versions earlier this month."The ships' crew are already familiar with the aircraft and there should not be too many adjustments to take on the armed variants," Lincuna said. He added that the two new aircraft should be fully operational on board the frigates "in the next few weeks," IHS Jane's reported.The weaponized versions carry two 12.7 millimeter machine gun pods, each with launchers for three 70 millimeter laser-guided rockets. The aircraft can also be configured to carry a sonobuoy dispenser for anti-submarine warfare operations.
The AW109 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206C engines and has a top speed of 154 knots.The Philippines is among the countries engaged in land disputes in the South China Sea. Beijing has been assertive in staking its claim, building man-made islands that some speculate will house military facilities.The party will be led by former energy minister Panagiotis Lafazanis, who was strongly opposed to the bailout deal, reports say.A list of MPs joining the party published by the Ta Nea newspaper showed that the parliamentary speaker Zoe Konstantopulou and former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis were not among its members.Both had opposed a new bailout deal, with Ms Konstantopulou highly critical of her former ally Mr Tsipras.
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