MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines intends to buy two brand new Lockheed Martin C-130J military transport planes before the end of 2021, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Thursday (Feb. 18).
President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier approved the purchase of five of the planes but it was pared down to only two because government funds had been diverted to pandemic response.
Philippine Air Force formally receives the 1st of 2 refurbished C-130 aircraft from the US. pic.twitter.com/gTIPNQGkF3
— Frances Mangosing (@FMangosingINQ) February 18, 2021
“He (Duterte) said, ‘How many do you want to buy’? I said five. He said, ‘Approved.’ I was very happy but the pandemic ate all our funds,” Lorenzana said, recounting his conversation with the President. “And we are now back to these two,” he …
Keep on reading: Lorenzana sees 2 new C-130s for PH military before end of 2021