AIR Force pilots will now have the opportunity to train and handle new and modern basic training aircraft with the Department of National Defense’s recent approval and issuance of notice to proceed to Alenia Aermacchi S.P.A. for the supply of 18 new SF-260F version.

                The contract includes an integrated logistics package such as pilot, technical and maintenance training; initial equipment and spares support; and after-sales services support.

                Alenia Aermacchi’s delivery schedule of the 18 units in batches shall be completed from the 12th to the 18th month from contract implementation.

                The SF-260 trainer aircraft is in service with 27 armed forces in the world with almost 1,000 units in flight operations.

                The Air Force’s last procurement of new aircraft of 18 SF-260s turboprop version, now converted as light attack aircraft, was almost two decades ago from the same Italian company. The Air Force’s SF-260 piston engines B series were procured in the 1970s and were used in both flight training and operational activities.

                For the contract with the Armed Forces, Alenia Aermacchi designated Aerotech Industries Philippines Inc., its exclusive local partner, distributor and authorized service station, to implement the aircraft transfer to the Philippines.

                Aerotech Philippines, a Clark Free Port Zone-registered locator, has its facilities at the civil-aviation complex of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Pampanga. It has pioneered in the commercial support program of the Air Force through its in-country major structural inspection of the S-211 aircraft fleet; maintenance and leasing of SF-260M for the military pilot training of the Air Force for the past seven years; inspection and services of  Martin Baker ejection seats on S-211 jets; representation and technical support to Singapore Technologies Aerospace Engineering’s supply of 20 refurbished UH-IH “Huey” helicopters; and has aircraft spares inventory of about 5,000 line items. 

                The SF-260 assembly and parts manufacturing agreement entered into by Alenia Aermacchi and Aerotech Philippines, starting with the 18 new basic trainer for the Air Force, is up to 2015, which means that all orders that Alenia Aermacchi will receive in these next years worldwide  will be assembled in and supplied out of the Aerotech Philippines facility.

                Considering that 27 armed forces use SF-260 trainer aircraft all over the world, with about 1,000 units in operation, Alenia Aermacchi estimates 100 new units of this aircraft type to be  sold in the next five  years. R. Mercene

MNLF urges Malacañang to scrap ARMM elections

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on Thursday asked Malacañang to scrap the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and instead appoint a governor to head the region.

DAVAO CITY—Still-unidentified gunmen shot dead on Thursday the leader of a militant farmers’ group here, raising fresh concerns on the safety of other militant leaders here.

THE Philippine Embassies in China and Singapore have issued separate warnings against the rising cases of trafficking of Filipino workers lured to these countries by illegal recruiters with promises of decent paying jobs only to end up as prostitutes and forced laborers.

AIR Force pilots will now have the opportunity to train and handle new and modern basic training aircraft with the Department of National Defense’s recent approval and issuance of notice to proceed to Alenia Aermacchi S.P.A. for the supply of 18 new SF-260F version.

FOR his alleged failure to address rampant smuggling, a legislator is seeking the ouster of Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales.

MALAYSIAN authorities arrested 24 Filipino fishermen for alleged poaching in the disputed waters off Sabah, which is being claimed by both Malaysia, and the Philippines.

MEMBERS of the fishermen’s alliance Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Wednesday slammed the plan of the Big Three oil companies—Chevron Philippines Inc., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Petron Corp.—to transfer the oil depot in Pandacan, Manila, in the coastal areas of Manila Bay, citing the risk of relocating it near the homes of millions of people in the coastal communities.