Japan leases patrol aircraft to Philippines

The 2 TC90 propeller planes were handed over on Monday in a ceremony at a naval base near Manila. This is the first time Self-Defense Force aircraft have been transferred to another country.

At the hand-over, Japanese State Minister of Defense Kenji Wakamiya said it’s increasingly important for the 2 nations to cooperate as many security issues lie ahead, such as the situation in the South China Sea.

The range of the TC90s is about double that of the aircraft the Philippines currently uses.

The 2 countries signed a deal last year for the lease of up to 5 TC90s.

With China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea, Japan wants to help strengthen the Philippines’ patrolling capabilities.

Source and image: NHK