Newly acquired aircraft will aid in patrolling maritime seas

The brand-new Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan EX intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft, in addition to the country's air assets, would "definitely" boost the Armed Forces of the Philippines' maritime patrol capabilities, military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said on Tuesday.

"Definitely, this aircraft will boost our capability of patrolling our maritime seas… This aircraft will help us, will boost our capability in making sure that we secure our territory and our sovereign rights," Brawner said in a chance interview shortly after the ceremonial acceptance, turnover, and blessing of the C-208B aircraft at Clark Air Base, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

The C-208B was acquired through Grant Programs of the United States government to the Philippine Air Force under the Foreign Military Sales Program, amounting to USD 17,586,702 for three units.

The country received the first two units of C-208B planes on 27 July 2017.

During the ceremonial event, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. formally accepted the documents of the newly delivered C-208B from the chief of the joint US Military Assistance Group -Philippines, Col. Edward Evans of the US Air Force.

Teodoro then turned over the documents to Brawner, who in turn did the same to PAF commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño.

The newly blessed aircraft is intended to strengthen the PAF's surveillance capabilities.

Teodoro said the new air asset will be used for all types of operations.

It will be utilized in support of internal security operations, territorial defense, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response specifically in the conduct of rapid damage assessment and needs analysis during times of calamities and disasters.

PAF chief, LtGen. Stephen Parreño said the brand-new aircraft will be immediately deployed to "wherever it is needed."

"This brand new aircraft is a very welcome addition to our intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability. It will also boost our capability in missions of law enforcement, terrorism, and maritime domain awareness," Parreño added.

The C-208B EX is a single-engine turboprop ISR-modified aircraft that offers a reliable, adaptable, and cost-effective solution for ISR operations, with its ISR capability including line-of-sight live data and air-to-ground information streaming.

The C-208B Aircraft, known for its rugged utility and flexibility, can operate up to 912 nautical miles and can endure 5-hour and 30-minute flight with a maximum operating altitude of 10,000 feet as well as a maximum cruise speed of 140 KIAS and a maximum range of up to 912 NM.

It has an advanced ISR capability and will be operated by the 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing (AISW) headed by BGen Edgar C Torres PAF.

The C-208B will also be significant in counterterrorism and law enforcement efforts.

The brand-new C-208B has an upgraded integrated flight deck, audio panel, center console, audio control panels, cockpit displays, airborne sensor operators console, inertial navigation system, video encoder, sensor camera, and datalink.

PAF said its existing ISR assets are being extensively utilized in the conduct of RDANA as a response during disasters and calamities.