Villamor Air Base, Pasay City
July 2, 2019

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte assured the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that the administration is staunch in modernizing its military capabilities during the 72nd Anniversary of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

“I assure you that this administration will continue to pursue all efforts to enhance your capabilities against these threats through modernization and capacity building initiatives… I want to leave the office of the presidency with an assurance to myself that I leave the functions, pass it on to the next whoever he will be,” President Duterte said.

As part of the modernization efforts, the PAF has acquired an Air Defense Radar System and an FA-50PH flight simulator, which will be supplemented by the delivery of six (6) A-29B Super Tucano Aircraft and another Air Defense Surveillance Radar System.

Likewise, the PAF will receive 16 projects worth over PhP 139-billion under the Second Horizon of the Revised AFP Modernization Program, which will include the acquisition of utility vehicles, drones and other command and control fixed-wing aircraft, among others.

As highlight of this year’s founding anniversary, the President, together with PAF Commanding General Rozzano D. Briguez, conferred medals and awards to various air force units and airmen personnel during the ceremony.

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