PNoy will buy New Military Equipment - Anti Submarine Helicopters

MANILA -- The military may finally be able to retire Vietnam War-era rifles since 63,000 new ones will soon be delivered to soldiers at the forefront of the defense of the country.

As part of the defense modernization amid security and territorial threats, President Benigno Aquino III on Sunday also announced plans to purchase 12 lead-in fighter trainer aircraft, eight combat utility helicopters, and two twin-engine naval anti-submarine helicopter.

“Patuloy tayong naglalatag ng mga hakbang upang hindi kayo mapag-iwanan ng panahon sa kasanayan bilang sundalo at sa kakayahang itaguyod ang magandang kinabukasan,” Aquino said in a speech before the graduates belonging to the 2014 Siklab Diwa class of the Philippine Military Academy.

On top of all these are the new rifles for the Armed Forces, which will be delivered in the next few months.

“Tingnan na lang po natin ang mga ripleng ginagamit ng ating kasundaluhan; panahon pa raw ng Vietnam War ang marami sa mga ito. Ang good news: 63,000 na riple para sa Sandatahang Lakas ang inaasahan nating mapasakamay na ninyo sa mga susunod na buwan. Sa pamamagitan nito, mapapagretiro na natin, sa wakas, ang mga ripleng ginagamit na ng ating mga kawal bago pa naipanganak ang Siklab Diwa,” he said.

Aquino noted that the military’s modernization plan has come a long way since he assumed the presidency.

“Napapakinabangan na rin natin at ng ating mga kawal ang mga modernong barko, walong sokol combat utility helicopters, tatlong Navy helicopters, at iba pang makabagong sasakyan,” he said.

Housing

Meanwhile, Aquino said the government continues to support the housing program for retired and active soldiers with more than 54,000 having been distributed so far.

He noted that the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of the Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of National Defense are working together to support livelihood programs for the soldiers.

“Sa proyektong ito, ang mga lupain sa tatlong kampo-militar—sa Fort Magsaysay sa Nueva Ecija, sa Camp Kibaritan sa Bukidnon, at sa Camp Peralta sa Capiz—ay magsisilbing bukal ng kabuhayan ng mga sundalo, gaya ng plantasyon ng kawayan, kape, cacao, at palm oil. Tunay pong sa pag-angat ng ekonomiya ng bansa, mas nabibigyan tayo ng pagkakataong suklian ang serbisyo ng ating mga kawal ng bayan,” he said.

“Ang hangad po natin: Bigyang lakas din kayo na paunlarin ang inyong sarili at inyong pamilya. Patuloy tayong naglalatag ng mga hakbang upang hindi kayo mapag-iwanan ng panahon sa kasanayan bilang sundalo at sa kakayahang itaguyod ang magandang kinabukasan,” the President said.

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