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Japan to Lease ex-JMSDF Beechcraft TC-90 King Air to the Philippine Navy for Maritime Patrol.

7 Mar, 2016 10:54 | 2016

Naval Forces News - Japan, Philippines

Japan to Lease ex-JMSDF Beechcraft TC-90 King Air to the Philippine Navy for Maritime Patrol

According to Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, the Japanese government plans to lease retired Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) TC-90 training aircraft to the Philippine Navy who will use the aircraft for air patrol missions related to China’s maritime expansion in the South China Sea.

Beechcraft TC-90 King Air used as training aircraft by the JMSDF. Picture: JMSDF

Aircraft currently used by the Philippine Navy for air patrol missions have a limited range of about 300km.

“It’s difficult to patrol over all the area of the Spratly Islands where China has been expanding and then return to the Philippines,” said a source close to the government.

The TC-90 aircraft, which has a radius of action over twice that of those in the Philippine Navy, is reportedly capable of covering most of the Spratly Islands. The TC-90 being a training aircraft, the Philippine Navy will likely be limited to visual inspection however as it is not fitted with radar or electro optic systems.

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Japan to Lease ex-JMSDF Beechcraft TC-90 King Air to the Philippine Navy for Maritime Patrol.