Philippine Navy Looks at the Possibility of Acquiring AW-159 "Wildcat"Helicopter

The Philippines Department of National Defense announced on Monday that it has allocated funds for the acquisition of two brand-new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters for the Philippine Navy.
The Philippine Navy earlier announced that it is looking at the possibility of acquiring the AW-159 "Wildcat" as its ASW helicopters.
The ASW choppers will be assigned to the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16).
The AW-159 is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter.
The AW-159 will serve in the battlefield utility, search and rescue and anti-surface warfare roles.
The AW-159 is fitted with forward firing CRV7 rockets and machine guns, pintle mounted machine gun, Sea Skua missiles and Sting-Ray torpedoes and depth charges.
The acquisition process for these ASW helicopters is expected to go on full gear once the Philippine Navy completes its five AW-109 order deal from AgustaWestland by the third quarter of 2014.
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