Philippines buying 18 new SF 260s, possibly 34 'Mescaleros'
- Thread starter drg
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Update
I went looking to see if there was any information regarding this agreement. It was actually reported here:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=91807, it says on the 10/1/2007.
It also provides information on the 'Mescaleros', that they are US-made T-41s.
Oh and it says that the planes (SF 260s or T-41s?) are to be used only for training purposes, not assault.
I went looking to see if there was any information regarding this agreement. It was actually reported here:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=91807, it says on the 10/1/2007.
It also provides information on the 'Mescaleros', that they are US-made T-41s.
Oh and it says that the planes (SF 260s or T-41s?) are to be used only for training purposes, not assault.
contedicavour
New Member
Good news. However I'm still wondering why the US doesn't provide some second hand former ANG F16s to provide the Philippines with some air defence after the last F5s were retired. It's not like the area were devoid of any threat 
cheers
cheers
I doubt the F-16s would be very welcome - the PAF had more than enough trouble affording their F-5s, let alone the much more complex F-16. For strict air defense purposes, the best bet would actually be to pretty much copy Colombia - i.e. rather than try using expensive fighters, rely on a SAM network, and focus on the real mission, COIN. I would look very seriously at getting something like the Embraer ALX, or hoping for some donated American AT-6s.
Agreed with most points except for the SAM network.
Given the current threat environment, we have to eye-ball any threat before shooting it down. You can really only do that with aircraft. Furthermore, SAMs are single-use systems -- you can only use it for the air defense role. For the most part, they will be non-performing assets -- a waste of precious resources.
A multi-role aircraft, on the other hand, can be used for both the current COIN battle (especially if secessionists in the south get illusions of being a regular army again and start building fortifications like they did in 2000) as well as air defense.
Using lead-in jet trainers as fighter substitutes makes sense, and is actually what the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is doing at this time. At present, our precious few S211s are tasked for the air defense role. In the recent Talon Vision exercises, actually took part in air combat training with USMC F-18s.
For a lot of us, we'd actually prefer that the government focus on improving our aircraft detection network before moving beyond fighter substitutes. These have the added benefit of benefiting civilian aviation as well as air defense. (The PAF and the civilian Air Transportation Office have a "One Sky" deal with allows one other access to the other's radar data).
After all, what's the point of getting F-16s if you can't vector them to your targets?
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The following article states that they are "E" versions
http://timawa.net/forum/index.php/topic,10071.0.html
http://www.flightglobal.com/article...18-new-alenia-aermacchi-sf-260e-trainers.html
Ah, ok.
Probably only used as unarmed trainers. The E can have two underwing pylons installed for weapons training - but no other user so far has actually installed them iirc.
Other news reports state the these new arrivals will be used exclusively as trainers.
Presumably this will free up the other SF260 versions currently in service, which have already been used for combat duties, to focus on providing close-air support to our ground troops.
contedicavour
New Member
Ok I'll try again who would be able to harass Chinese or Vietnamese Flankers flying around or close to the Philippines' airspace ? SF260s ?
cheers
who would be able to harass Chinese or Vietnamese Flankers flying around or close to the Philippines' airspace ? SF260s ?cheers
The Philippines has no real indigenous air defense capability. Period.Ok I'll try again
It's easy to ignore them if you don't have detection.
The Philippine Air Force is currently one of the most COIN-specialized air arms in Asia. All of the money goes to fighting the current war -- which is against internal enemies.
The SF-260 purchase is aligned with that goal, since it frees up the SF-260s that have already been adopted for COIN use for full-time COIN use.
No pilot in his right mind would dream of going up against a Flanker with a prop-trainer . . . unless the former is on the ground.
Here is the answer to your question, the S211 trainer jets for air defense...Ok I'll try again
cheers
Ozzy Blizzard
New Member
Mate you realise that question was asked 3 years ago? I doubt those posters are still arround.Here is the answer to your question, the S211 trainer jets for air defense...