Philippine Navy acquires two anti-submarine helicopters

The Philippine Department of Defense has signed a contract with Finmeccanica to deliver two AgustaWestland AW159 helicopters to the Philippines Navy.

Finmecanica’s UK division of  is scheduled to deliver the helicopters in 2018 from the  Yeovil plant in the United Kingdom.

Valued at over €100m, the order includes training and multi-year support.

Philippines is now the third country to become the operator of the AgustaWestland helicopters after United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea.

The two helicopters will be equipped for anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare roles. They 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.”