Latest news with #MariaConsueloCastillo
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Philippines signs deal for 12 fighter jets: South Korea manufacturer
Philippine and South Korean FA-50 fighter jets. - Photo: Korean Aerospace Industries MANILA: The Philippines has signed a contract for 12 more FA-50 fighter jets, its South Korean manufacturer said Wednesday (June 4), three months after one of the planes crashed during a mission against communist rebels. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) valued the deal with the Department of National Defense at US$700 million, with delivery of the jets to be completed by 2030. The Philippines, which has yet to confirm the pact, previously purchased a dozen of the light warplanes in 2014. In a statement, the South Korean firm said the fighter jets would feature enhanced capabilities including "aerial refueling for extended range, (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons systems". One of the Philippines' original fleet of FA-50s went missing on March 4 while on a mission to provide air support for troops fighting guerrillas in a mountainous area of the southern island of Mindanao. Rescuers found the wreckage of the plane and the bodies of two crewmen a day later. After temporarily grounding the fleet, the Philippine Air Force ruled out any mechanical problems with the aircraft. Air Force spokeswoman Maria Consuelo Castillo told a press conference in April that a confluence of factors had contributed to the crash, including mountainous terrain and visibility issues. Castillo said in March that the purchase of additional FA-50s was under consideration by the defence department. - AFP
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Philippines signs deal for 12 South Korean fighter jets
The FA-50 fighter jets will feature enhanced capabilities including advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons systems. (Wikipedia pic) MANILA : The Philippines has signed a contract for 12 more FA-50 fighter jets, its South Korean manufacturer said today, three months after one of the planes crashed during a mission against communist rebels. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) valued the deal with the department of national defence at US$700 million, with delivery of the jets to be completed by 2030. The Philippines, which has yet to confirm the pact, previously purchased a dozen of the light warplanes in 2014. In a statement, the South Korean firm said the fighter jets would feature enhanced capabilities including 'aerial refueling for extended range, (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons systems'. One of the Philippines' original fleet of FA-50s went missing on March 4 while on a mission to provide air support for troops fighting guerrillas in a mountainous area of the southern island of Mindanao. Rescuers found the wreckage of the plane and the bodies of two crewmen a day later. After temporarily grounding the fleet, the Philippine air force ruled out any mechanical problems with the aircraft. Air force spokesman Maria Consuelo Castillo told a press conference in April that a confluence of factors had contributed to the crash, including mountainous terrain and visibility issues. Castillo said in March that the purchase of additional FA-50s was under consideration by the defence department.
The Independent
04-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Philippines fighter jet vanishes during mission to southern province
A Philippine Air Force fighter jet went missing during a night-time tactical operation on Tuesday, losing communication just before reaching its target. The country's military has launched a major search operation, but it was unclear if the personal locator beacons of the two pilots were still emitting signals. An unnamed Philippine military official told the Associated Press that the jet went missing during an anti-insurgency operation against communist guerrillas in a southern province. 'The aircraft lost communication with the rest of the flight involved in the mission minutes before reaching the target area. The other aircraft repeatedly attempted to re-establish contact with the missing aircraft until its return to Mactan, Cebu,' air force spokesperson Colonel Maria Consuelo Castillo in a statement. The air force was conducting 'extensive and thorough search operations to locate the missing jet fighter aircraft', she said. 'Our primary concern right now is the safe return of our aircrew. We're hopeful of locating them and the aircraft soon and ask you to join us in prayer during this critical time,' Ms Castillo added. The incident marked the first major mishap involving the air force's fleet of FA-50s, which were acquired under former president Benigno Aquino III. Authorities did not disclose any details about the fighter jet 's mission but confirmed that it was supporting ongoing military operations. Ms Castillo said the jet was deployed as part of the air force's 'regular support to the ongoing operations of our unified commands'. 'We are hopeful that we will still be able to recover,' she said. 'We are more concerned about the safety of the aircrew right now, and we are still very optimistic that they are safe.' The disappearance of the aircraft coincided with airstrikes in the Pantaron mountain range in the region of Northern Mindanao, where government forces engaged around 70 New People's Army rebels, according to Rappler. The New People's Army was formed in 1969. The military reportedly requested air support to weaken the rebels near Cabanglasan, with airstrikes conducted between 1 and 2am on 4 March, the outlet reported. The Philippine authorities did not confirm if FA-50 jets were involved in the strikes. Residents in Cabanglasan shared videos on social media capturing the loud sounds of jets flying overhead during the airstrikes.
