PHL’s C-130T aircraft now capable of maritime patrol

The United States government committed, under the Obama administration through Maritime Security Initiative (MSI), to provided the Philippines with palletized intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) kit for Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s C-130 aircraft.

The implementation of this commitment by US was raised through a photo that appeared first in Philippine Plane Spotters Group (PPSG) social networking group this week.

The implementation was further confirmed by MaxDefense Philippines in an article.

PAF’s C-130T aircraft with tail number 5040 was utilized for the project. The said aircraft is one of the two C130Ts provided by US government through Excess Defense Articles (EDA) Program.

“The US military made use of the Canadian-built SABIR (Special Airborne Mission Installation and Response) system, that allows the mounting of modular pods externally without the need for modifications on the airframe except for the rear paratrooper doors,” MaxDefense said.

“Several systems were installed to convert the aircraft into a dual use surveillance/maritime patrol – heavy tactical transport platform,” it added. More information about ISR equipment used for the C130 aircraft is available at https://maxdefense.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-philippine-air-force-finally-got.html

US government’s Maritime Security Initiative also facilitated the delivery of several naval assets to Philippine Navy like the third Del Pilar class frigate BRP Andrés Bonifacio (FF-17) and research vessel BRP Gregorio Velasquez (AGR 702).

Sources: https://news.usni.org/2016/04/18/the-philippines-at-forefront-of-new-pentagon-maritime-security-initiative; https://maxdefense.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-philippine-air-force-finally-got.html; https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/11/17/fact-sheet-us-building-maritime-capacity-southeast-asia; https://www.paf.mil.ph/press/2016/c130t2016.html