Philippine navy orders AW159 helicopters

Finmeccanica has been awarded a contract, valued at over 100 million euros, to supply the Philippine Navy with two AgustaWestland AW159 helicopters. The aircraft will be built and delivered from the Finmeccanica Helicopter Division’s Yeovil plant, in the United Kingdom, in 2018. The order includes training and multi-year support and adds to those by the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea. It is a testament to the long standing relationship between the Philippine Armed Forces and Finmeccanica following previous aeronautics and helicopter programmes.

The two helicopters will be equipped with sophisticated state-of-the-art mission equipment and sensors, primarily dedicated to anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare roles. The helicopters will also be capable of performing other roles including search and rescue, maritime security and maritime surveillance.  

Mauro Moretti, Finmeccanica’s Chief Executive Officer and General Manager, said: “This contract confirms the confidence of the Philippines in Finmeccanica’s products as key to its national security and is a further recognition, in the international market, of the company’s leadership in the maritime and naval helicopter segment. We will deliver to the Philippine Navy a state-of-the-art product, unmatched in the modern operational scenarios, and customized to meet their specific needs. Also, we will provide the customer with support and training solutions that will enable them to take full advantage of the capabilities of its new helicopters.”