Philippines Seeks Heavy Lift Aircraft, Submarine-detection Capability

The Philippines is seeking C-130 cargo transports and S-70i "Black Hawk" helicopters to augment its heavy lift capability besides submarine detection systems to defend the country's maritime domain.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Carlito Galvez said the military needs more heavy and medium-lift capability to boost its disaster response missions. "I believe it's more on the (heavy and) medium-lift capability like what we have bought for our disaster relief and search and rescue operations," he said suring the course of a joint press conference with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III in Manila Thursday as reported by the Philippines News Agency.
Galvez said this means more C-130 cargo transports and S-70i "Black Hawk" helicopters which has already configured for search and rescue missions.
Besides, the Navy needs more assets to defend the country's maritime domain such as the capability to detect submarines in the West Philippine Sea, Galvez said.
It must be noted that the Philippinnes junked an agreement with Russia to buy 16 Mi-17 Heavy lift helicopters worth $246.3 million under pressure from Washington. While Manila is seeking a refund of the advance paid, Russia is demanding full payment as claims the first helicoper is ready for pre-delivery checks and six more are in various stages of manufacture.