Newly-acquired Hamilton navy ship to be equipped with choppers

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Nov. 21 (PIA) -- The country’s newly-acquired Hamilton navy ship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar, will be equipped with four (4) helicopters according to Commodore Joseph Rustom O. Peña of the Naval Forces West (Navforwest).
He said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is already in the process of acquiring four helicopters which will have more sophisticated and advanced features and more reliability if compared to the existing Hueys that are being used.
He said that the helicopters will be deployed as utility aircraft for the BRP Gregorio del Pilar which is expected to be commissioned in December. At present, the navy ship is in drydock for refurbishing and repainting.
Commodore Peña expects the arrival of the helicopters together with the arrival and commissioning of BRP Gregorio del Pilar which will conduct sovereignty patrol of the West Philippine Sea including the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). (vsm/pia-palawan)