The Philippine National Police (PNP) has acquired three more multi-role police helicopters for law enforcement and public safety operations. PNP chief, Police General Debold M Sinas says the PNP Special Action Force Air Unit formally accepted delivery of three brand new H125 Airbus single engine turbine helicopters from Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia in late January at Manila Domestic airport in Pasay City.

“These new air assets will further boost our operational capability in support of our anti-insurgency and anti-terrorism campaign,” Sinas comments.

This latest acquisition of police helicopters was procured through funds from the General Appropriations Act 2019.

The new police helicopters are now at the PNP-SAF Air Unit hangar at the Manila Domestic airport.

According to the chief PNP, the PNP fleet now has seven Airbus H125, two Robinson R22 police helicopters and a fixed-wing trainer aircraft, all stationed in Metro Manila. The PNP is eyeing the deployment of two helicopters each in central Visayas and southern Mindanao, and one in northern Luzon, Sinas said. The organisation has included an air ambulance in its shopping list of programmed procurements.