HARASSMENT INTHE SKY. This photo shared by a Philippine government source shows Chinese fighter jets making a “dangerous” move against a Philippine Air Force plane, firing flares into its path as it was flying over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal. —File photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday defended the purchase of additional six A-29 Super Tucano aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF), highlighting its  usefulness despite perception that they are already outdated.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla made the statement as Sen. Raffy Tulfo during Nov. 28 plenary debates for the Department of National Defense (DND) budget, questioned the additional purchase of the turboprop light attack anti-insurgency aircraft. 

The A-29 Super Tucano is mainly used for counterinsurgency operations, but Tulfo noted that the insurgency problem has already been reduced.

Instead, the senator said that the government should purchase more fighter jets like FA-50s to gear up for external defense amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“I’m not a military expert or anything like that, but it looks like the Tucano is outdated,” Tulfo had observed. “But to the credit of our military, our problem with insurgency has been reduced. So if you think about it, we need more fighter jets like FA-50.”

However, in a statement, Padilla noted that Super Tucano remains “a cost-efficient, mission-fit aircraft that strengthens surveillance, maritime patrol and close air support under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).

DND unveiled CADC last year, whose goal is to develop the country’s capability to protect and secure its entire territory and exclusive economic zone, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for the AFP to focus on external defense.

PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Christina Basco also highlighted that Super Tucanos are not just for CADC operations but also for close air support and humanitarian assistance and disaster response, among other uses.

“Even if we are shifting to territorial operations, we still need to consider the geographical makeup of our country,” she said in a regular military briefing. 

“These aircraft are very flexible. They may be used for close air support, she said. “I would say that these aircraft are still very relevant.”

To date, Basco said PAF has six A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.

However, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, during the same Nov. 28 hearing, said six more units of the A-29 Super Tucano are set to arrive, bringing the total number these aircraft to 12. /apl /gsg

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