Philippines ponders SAR helicopters, and Chinooks instead of Mi-171s
The Philippine Air Force assigned its W-3A Sokols to the 505th Search and Rescue Group when it discovered they were ill-suited to combat utility tasks. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)
In some areas, the rotary-winged fleet of the Philippine military has progressed, but in others, it has stagnated or even reversed.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has reneged on a deal with Russia for new Mi-171 medium-lift helicopters, but it still has requirements for both heavy-lift and search-and-rescue helicopters.
The PAF’s 505th Search and Rescue Group currently operates six W-3A Sokols and a solitary S-70A-5 in the SAR role, but these numbers are insufficient to provide national coverage.
The retirement of the air force’s UH-1 fleet, which encompassed three Bell 205A-1s of the 505th Search and Rescue Group, means that aircraft need to be replaced. The helicopters are used for civilian search and rescue, but such a capability has long been
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: Embraer still sees future C-390 opportunities in region following RSAF snub]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: Embraer still sees future C-390 opportunities in region following RSAF snub
The company disclosed several defence contracts and upgrades for its defence aircraft at the show, including additional Super Tucano orders and a new C-390 Millennium customer, Uzbekistan.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: Boeing eyes $65 billion Asia-Pacific market despite Indonesia F-15 halt]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: Boeing eyes $65 billion Asia-Pacific market despite Indonesia F-15 halt
With a growing customer list and portfolio expansion in the region, the company has said that it has a strong ongoing commitment to Asia-Pacific.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering’s EagleStrike aims for 2027 early-stage production]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering’s EagleStrike aims for 2027 early-stage production
The new loitering munition from ST Engineering, unveiled at the Singapore Airshow for the first time, is intended for use against high-value targets such as lightly armoured vehicles.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: RSAF refreshes air transport capability as part of force modernisation]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: RSAF refreshes air transport capability as part of force modernisation
Singapore is understood to have received three of four ex-Spanish C-130Hs from Blue Aerospace in recent weeks.
-
![Spain air report: Demand builds with $19.7 billion up for grabs in unawarded contracts]()
Spain air report: Demand builds with $19.7 billion up for grabs in unawarded contracts
Despite Spain’s modest GDP spend on defence, the country still has a range of fixed-wing and UAV programme requirements as yet unawarded, with a potential US$3.10 billion set to be spent over the next decade.
