Attack Helos from US are Expensive, Philippine Gov’t Eyeing Attack Helicopters from Turkey

Defense chief Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday said the government is considering to purchase attack helicopters from Turkey.

In a television interview, Lorenzana said attack helicopters from the United States are expensive, adding that the country could not afford those assets especially at this time of health crisis.

"I don't know if we can afford that (US attack helicopters) now because of this pandemic. We're channeling a lot of funds to fight COVID..." Lorenzana told CNN-Philippines.

"We are looking at the Turkey's attack helicopters... It is under negotiation and we have not yet signed any contract with them because we are looking at their equipment further to ensure that what we have is what we need," he added.

It was on April 30 when the US State Department announced the approval of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Philippine government, which includes six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related military equipment for an estimated cost of $1.5 billion.