Philippine Navy to Receive 2 AW 159 Anti-submarine Helicopters in March 2019

The Philippine Navy (PN) will receive its first two AW159 anti-submarine helicopters from AgustaWestland in March next year.

The delivery will probably happen in March 2019, PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad was quoted as saying by Philippine Enquirer Tuesday.

The AW159s, to be sourced from AgustaWestland, will help the two missile-armed frigates being constructed by Hyundai Heavy Industries for PHP18 billion (US $337 million), against submarine attacks.

The helicopters will help frigates against submarine attacks, Empedrad said.

The contract for the two anti-submarine helicopters is worth PHP5.4 billion (US $101 million) along with munition, mission essential equipment, and integrated logistic support.

The helicopter is capable of speeds of 291 km/h, has a range of 777 km., a ferry range of 963 km., and an endurance of one-and-a-half hours (four hours and 30 minutes if fitted with auxiliary fuel).

The AW159 can be fitted with forward firing CRV7 rockets and machine guns, pintle-mounted machine gun, Sea Skua missiles, and Sting-Ray torpedoes and depth charges.