New training aircraft for Philippine Navy
On 10 february 2022, four Cessna 172S Skyhawk training aircraft were officially handed over to the Hukbong Pandagat ng Pilipinas (PN, Philippine Navy).
The Skyhawks were acquired through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme and the contract is valued at USD 2,2 million.
According to Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana "These air assets will significantly improve the Navy's ability to prepare naval pilots for the crucial task of monitoring and safeguarding our maritime territories and domain as we rejoice over this milestone."
The hand over ceremony at Danielo Atienza Air Base (Cavite) was attended by US Embassy in Manila Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino and Navy chief Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado.
The new Cessna 172S will be operated by the Naval Air Wing Training & Doctrine Centre 50 where they will join the Cessna 172F and Cessna 172N.
The future PN serials are NVT350 to NVT353. The tie-up has not yet been confirmed, but is most likely in order of construction number. Details of the aircraft are:
Photo by Philippine Navy