Philippines Receive 2 Units Of World’s Most Lethal Attack Helicopters From Jordan

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) accepted the delivery of two units of the most lethal attack helicopters in the world, the Bell AH-1S “Cobra” attack helicopters received as a present from Jordan on Tuesday, November 26.

The PAF’s capability to provide air support to ground troops got a much-needed boost with the arrival of two Bell AH-1S “Cobra” attack helicopters donated by the Jordanian government.

Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a statement that the two-blade, single-engine attack helicopters, which arrived at PAF Headquarters in Clark Airbase, Pampanga on 26 November 2019, will be used primarily for close air support in internal security and counter-terrorism operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The two “Cobra” helicopters will be joining the eight AugustaWestland AW-109 light attack helicopters in service along with the much older Mcdonnell Douglas MG-520 "Defender" choppers of which there are an estimated 12 in PAF service.


“These ‘Cobra’ helicopters from Jordan are a manifestation of the widening of our circle of friends,” Andolong said referring to the stronger defense cooperation between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Jordan that led to the donation of the two aircraft

This year, four PAF pilots trained in Jordan to operate the “Cobra” helicopters, two of whom underwent further training to become test and instructor pilots.

“These new assets, which are equipped with guns and rockets, will immensely help our troops on the ground and enhance the overall capability of the PAF,” Andolong added.

These additional assets of PAF will be formally received by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana once tests and inspections have been completed.

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In September 2018, the DND and the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation.

Lorenzana and Jordan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, signed the MOU during the three-day official visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to the Middle Eastern nation in September last year.

The Jordanian government pledged last year to donate two Cobra helicopters and President Duterte had mentioned this in some of his speeches.

In April, President Duterte said Jordan might give more attack helicopters aside from the first two.

Source: PNA