The Philippine News Agency, a government department, has issued the following statement – noting that PHP37,507,894.33 translates today to US$ 801320.53

To ensure the maximum efficiency and mission-readiness of all its available aircraft, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) has allocated the sum of PHP37,507,894.33 for the acquisition of additional spare parts for its AgustaWestland AW-109 attack helicopters.

This is Lot 2 for the projected maintenance of the latter aircraft.

Submission and opening of bids is slated for March 31, 9:00 a.m. at the PAF Procurement Center Conference Room, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

Prospective bidders should have experience in a similar project within the last five years.

The PAF has eight attack AW-109E in its inventory. The first two were commissioned last Aug. 17 while the remaining six were formally accepted for PAF service last December 5, 2015.

The Philippines signed an eight-unit attack AW-109E order with AgustaWestland in 2013 for PHP3. 44 billion.

The Philippines Air Force has eight AW109E helicopters, while the Philippine Navy has five.