The Japan Floor Self-Protection Drive (JGSDF) has dedicated to switch various Japanese-made UH-1J utility helicopters to beef up the catastrophe response capabilities of the Military Aviation Regiment of the Philippine Military (PA). The JGSDF pledge was introduced on the sidelines of a bilateral assembly between the 2 armies through the first-ever Japan-Philippine-US Trilateral Key Leaders’ Engagement at Camp Asaka, Tokyo, Japan on December 11, 2022. The donation of UH-1J plane is anticipated to be acquired in two to 3 years. The switch will likely be made via a authorities grant. The nascent partnership would result in mutually useful outcomes for each the Philippine Military and the Japan Floor Self-Protection Drive.
The utility helicopters will considerably enhance the capabilities of the Military Aviation Regiment, particularly within the subject of humanitarian help and catastrophe response, medical evacuation, transport of personnel and provides and for injury evaluation flights in occasions of nationwide emergencies and calamities. The Military Aviation Regiment at the moment has round 5 to 6 plane in its stock. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has an extended historical past of buying United States Air Drive belongings, together with the Bell UH-1. In AFP service, the sort was repeatedly used to fight native insurgents in addition to to conduct catastrophe aid operations after a number of earthquakes and typhoons hit the nation.
Commercial
Throughout 2013, the Philippine Air Drive (PAF) was pursuing the acquisition of 21 used UH-1H helicopters; the deal reportedly included their refurbishment previous to supply. Moreover, throughout October 2019, the Philippines made a take care of Japan to amass a few of its spare components stock; this reportedly was to facilitate the restoration of seven saved UH-1s to flightworthy situation. By January 2021, the PAF had 13 UH-1H and 10 UH-1D helicopters in an operational situation. On 14 October 2021, the PAF formally decommissioned the rest of its UH-1D fleet, regardless of some having solely been acquired seven years prior; the retired rotorcraft had been saved at Clark Air Base.
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois (nicknamed “Huey”) is a utility navy helicopter designed and produced by the American aerospace firm Bell Helicopter. It’s the first member of the prolific Huey household, in addition to the primary turbine-powered helicopter in service with the US navy. Fuji-Bell UH-1J is an improved Japanese model of the UH-1H constructed underneath license in Japan by Fuji Heavy Industries for the Japan Floor Self-Protection Drive. Amongst enhancements had been an Allison T53-L-703 turboshaft engine offering 1,343 kW (1,800 shp), a vibration-reduction system, infrared countermeasures, and a night-vision-goggle (NVG) appropriate cockpit. Japan’s Acquisition, Know-how & Logistics Company is deliberate for a locally-built mannequin of the twin-engined multirole Bell 412 helicopter to switch the remaining UH-1s in Japanese service.
