Phillipine Navy AW159 WildCat Delivered

The Phillipine Navy (PN) has received its two AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat maritime helicopters from Leonardo’s Yeovil production facility in the United Kingdom.

Delivery of the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) helicopters to the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) was con rmed on May 8.

The PN selected the Wildcat as its preferred option for two new ASW helicopters in March 2014 and the Department of National Defence confirmed that $120 million had been approved for the acquisition.A formal contract was signed in March 2016.

According to local media reports, the two AW159s will be used to help secure the country’s sea lines of communication (SLOC) — the primary maritime routes used for trade, logistic and naval operations. The Wildcats were commissioned into service at Sangley Point, Cavite on May 27.

Source: Combat Aircraft journal - October 2019

Photo: One of the two Philippine Navy Wildcats that landed at London Stansted Airport in the UK on April 30 for onward delivery to the Philippines. (Photo by Mark Rourke)

Nooor Nilam Aryawan (Oceanian and Asian ©XAirForces News Editor from Indonesia)

Philippinese Aviation ©XAirForces News
Phillipine Navy AW159 WildCat Delivered

(24.10.2019)