Manila acquires 4 military trainer-planes from US — Radio Free Asia

The Philippines took shipment on Thursday of 4 American-made Cessna aircrafts for training navy pilots to assist secure Manilas maritime areas, the federal government stated, amidst tensions with Beijing in the disputed South China Sea.
The United States handed over the U.S. $2.2-million bundle of Cessna 172 Skyhawk aircrafts a day after China consented to contribute millions of dollars in other and military equipment to the Philippines regardless of a territorial conflict in the sea with Manila, as both superpowers ratchet up competition for allies in the Indo-Pacific.
American embassy authorities turned the four airplane to Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana at the Naval Air Wing in Sangley Point, south of Manila.
” These air properties will substantially improve the navys ability to prepare marine pilots for the vital job of monitoring and securing our maritime territories and domain,” Lorenzana said.
” As we rejoice over this turning point, we also recognize the long-lasting and efficient relationship between the United States and the Philippines, which is the key to the success of this acquisition program. … We acknowledge our shared dedication to help maintain the peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Manila obtained the airplane through the U.S. Foreign Military Financing Program, which enables Washingtons allies to purchase excess American defense equipment at deep discounts.
The Philippines and the U.S. have actually long been allies, and are bound by the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which contacts them to assist each other in times of war, or external aggressiveness by a 3rd party.
The treaty has actually never been utilized or tested, but Washington has guaranteed Manila about its readiness to meet its task in the face of a significantly assertive China, which has neglected a 2016 international arbitral court ruling that threw away its claims to nearly the entire South China Sea.
The U.S. has actually provided a number of pieces of devices to aid the Philippine armed forces modernization program, consisting of 2 pre-owned U.S. Coast Guard cutters, unmanned aerial lorries, and weapons.
Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service.
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