From the Russian Sputnik Internet web site:
"Japan Offers Philippines Aircraft to Spy on Disputed South China Sea Waters"
"As part of its increasing involvement in the South China Sea, Japan could soon provide the Philippines with patrol aircraft."
SPY AS MEANING SURFACE AND AIR SURVEILLANCE OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA WITH RADAR . NOT "SPY" AS THAT WORD "SPY" NORMALLY, GENERALLY AND COMMONLY UNDERSTOOD.
"While the talks are still in the preliminary phases, the Japanese government is interested in donating three Beechcraft TC-90 King Air planes to the Philippines. Used by Tokyo to train military pilots, Manila could outfit the TC-90s with surface and air surveillance radar which allow it to conduct patrols over the South China Sea."
AN AIRFRAME ONLY PERHAPS? FILIPINO WILL HAVE TO EQUIP WITH THE ELECTRONICS SUITE WHAT IT IS CALLED.
3,000 of these airplanes have been built. Plenty of spare parts around I might assume. What they need to do is have the basic airframe and be able to configure with a host of electronic packages and "suites" for a task tailored mission. Easier said than done!
TC-90 can also operate out of relatively unimproved airfields and will require less labor and maintenance than will say a P-3 Orion. TC-90 is what the Philippines need.
That Sputnik image actually shows a Beechcraft Super King Air and not a King Air which is the TC-90.
coolbert.
The Filipinos can't pony up a few hundred thousand dollars to buy themselves three thirty or forty year old King Airs? How are they going pay for the radars, or will they wait for some thirty year old cast offs to match the airframes? I hope nobody thought this would impress the ChiComs, it's hard to imagine them doing anything other than laugh.
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