MANILA (AFP) - The Philippines will acquire 10 attack helicopters starting next year in a bid to boost the capabilities of the poorly-equipped military, an air force spokesman said on Wednesday.
Italy, Britain, France, Russia and South Africa are all being eyed to supply the helicopters, Lieutenant-Colonel Miguel Okol said, although he declined to specify which models were being considered.
The brand new machines will upgrade the fleet of US-made MG-520 light attack helicopters that the air force has been using since the 1990s.
'What we are going to get are armed attack helicopters that can carry more payload than the MG-520,' Lt-Col Okol told AFP.
