PAF Reportedly Checking on Russian Attack, Gunship Helicopters

A group of Philippine Air Force (PAF) officials are reportedly currently in Russia to check on Russian military helicopters.

MaxDefense Philippines said it “received information that some officers from the Philippine Air Force are currently in Russia to check on the Russian Helicopters Mil Mi-28N Havoc Night Attack helicopter and the Mil Mi-24/35 Hind heavy gunship, as instructed before by [President Rodrigo Duterte] through the [Department of National Defense].”

MaxDefense said mentioned Russian helicopters are being considered for the PAF’s Attack Helicopter acquisition project under the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) modernization program.

“Previously the PAF already checked on the TAI T-129 ATAK from Turkey. This further strengthen the possibility that the PAF is now leaning more into acquiring purpose built attack helicopters rather than armed light helicopters as originally planned for this project,” it noted.