Philippines to acquire additional NC212i aircraft

The Philippine Air Force is likely to get the first of its newly ordered Dirgantara NC212i transport aircraft in 2025. (PT Dirgantara Indonesia)

The Philippines has signed a contract to acquire six additional PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) NC212i aircraft.

The acquisition will allow Manila to complete its light‐lift fixed-wing aircraft (LLFWA) requirement. The country already operates two NC212is, which it acquired in June 2018.

According to PTDI, the aircraft procurement contract was signed at the offices of the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) on 13 April in Quezon City, Philippines. This was preceded by an announcement by the DND on 10 March that PTDI had won the tender (notice of award), PTDI added.

PTDI told Janes that the first aircraft is expected to be delivered to the Philippines in 25 months. “The sixth and last aircraft is expected to be delivered in 46 months,” a company representative said.

Janes understands that the new aircraft will be equipped with underwing auxiliary tanks for extended range. According to Janes data, these provide the aircraft with 840 kg of additional fuel.

According to PTDI, the Philippine government first expressed interest in acquiring the aircraft on 5 September 2022 during a visit by Philippine President Marcos Jr to Jakarta. “The Philippines' commitment to realise the plan to purchase the NC212i aircraft from PTDI was conveyed,” PTDI said.

According to Janes data, the Philippines has been trying to fulfil the LLFWA requirement since 2018. Manila was in talks with PTDI to procure the additional aircraft from late 2018, according to Janes data.