The Philippine government will acquire 10 new combat helicopters next year from one of five countries (Russia is among them), RIA Novosti reports with reference to Straits Times.

According to the official representative of Philippine air forces, Colonel Miguel Okol, the new vehicles will replace light combat MG-520 helicopters, delivered to Philippines by USA in 1990s.

"We will acquire armed attack helicopters, which are able to lift more cargo than MG-520", - he said.

Okol declined to specify the exact models of the combat helicopters, but he said that, besides Russia, the list of potential suppliers includes UK, Italy, France and South Africa.

Philippines News Agency (PNA) reported yesterday that the government is considering the possibility of acquiring 12 operational trainers from one of four foreign suppliers, including Russia, in the network of air forces’ modernization program.

Manila will make its final choice between Yak-130 (Russia), KAI TA-50 (South Korea), M-346 (Italy) and Hawk (UK) in July, said Philippine Minister of Defense, Voltaire Gazmin.
Philippine air forces need operational trainers because after putting the outdated F-5A/B fighters (acquired in 1965) out of service in 2005, the Philippine pilots had no other jet aircraft. So the flying personnel needs re-training, PNA noted.

The unique Yak-130 aircraft developed by Yakovlev design bureau enables training of pilots at the most advanced level for Russian and foreign 4+ and 5-generation combat aircraft. The aircraft is a part of training facility including integrated system of objective control, training computer classrooms, flight and special simulators.