Philippines says US attack helicopters too expensive, seeks other supplier

ABS-CBN News

<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/smYVQFgD9qM?enablejsapi=1"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>MANILA - The Philippines is looking for alternative suppliers of attack helicopters as two models from the United States being proposed for acquisition are too expensive, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday.</p><p>The US State Department late last month approved the potential deal for 6 Bell Helicopter units worth $450 million (about P22.6 billion), or Apache attack helicopters made by Boeing and Lockheed Martin for an estimated cost of $1.5 billion (P75 billion).</p><p>The Philippines has a budget of P13 billion and can only buy 1 or 2 of the choppers if it proceeds with this deal, said Lorenzana.</p><p>&quot;Hindi natin kaya iyon... Kaya tumitingin tayo sa ibang bansa ng attack helicopter na mabibili natin na medyo madami-dami sa halagang mabibili natin sa ibinigay ng gobyerno,&quot; he told reporters.</p><p>(We can&#x27;t afford that. This is why we&#x27;re looking at other countries for attack helicopters which will allow us to buy more units with the budget that the government gave us.)</p><p>This has &quot;no connection&quot; with Manila&#x27;s withdrawal from its Visiting Forces Agreement with Washington in February, he said.</p><p>The Philippines will stop buying attack choppers if communist rebels halt their 50-year-old struggle, Lorenzana said.</p><div><strong>With a report from Reuters</strong></div><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/13/20/well-save-a-lot-of-money-trump-fine-with-end-of-philippines-military-pact">&#x27;We&#x27;ll save a lot of money&#x27;: Trump &#x27;fine&#x27; with end of Philippines military pact</a></li></ul>

<p>The potential sale of 2 attack helicopter variants that the US recently approved is too expensive for the Philippines, which is looking for alternative suppliers, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday.</p>

The potential sale of 2 attack helicopter variants that the US recently approved is too expensive for the Philippines, which is looking for alternative suppliers, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday.

Philippines says US attack helicopters too expensive, seeks other supplier | ABS-CBN

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Sports

More

News

Philippines says US attack helicopters too expensive, seeks other supplier

Philippines says US attack helicopters too expensive, seeks other supplier

ABS-CBN News

Published May 13, 2020 03:03 PM PHT

Read More:

VFA

Visiting Forces Agreement

defense

US

military

attack helicopters

Philippines helicopters acquisition

Philippine military hardware

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Advertise with Us

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.