Philippines Receive US Aircraf in Early 2016.

The Philippines is to receive a pair of surplus Lockheed Martin C-130T Hercules transport aircraft from the United States in early 2016.

Philippines Receive US Aircraf in Early 2016.

The sale, which was disclosed by the US Embassy in Manila, is valued at approximately USD55 million, of which the US government is to pay USD20 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF).

The C-130Ts were formerly operated by the US Navy, which introduced the variant into its Reserve Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons in 1991. 

Once the aircraft are handed over in the first quarter of 2016 they will be used by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) for territorial defence and maritime security, as well as for humanitarian and disaster relief. The C-130Ts will augment the PAF's three existing C-130 aircraft, and it is expected that further surplus aircraft will be acquired over the coming years.

According to the embassy, the USD20 million in FMF that the US government has committed to the C-130T procurement is part of a larger USD50 million package that also includes improving the PAF's command and control facilities, upgrading equipment aboard Philippine Navy vessels, training and sustainment.