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

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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.
     
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.