PHILIPPINES: two new Leonardo AW159 Wildcat ASW helicopters

To mark its 120th birthday last year, the island nation's navy treated itself to two Leonardo AW159s Wildcat ASW-helicopter, which have now been ceremonially put into service at the Danielo Atienza airbase near Manila. From there, they will be used as on-board helicopters for the two South Korean-built JOSE-RIZAL frigates. Two more Helicopter are to complete the quartet, but are still on the wish list. This makes the Philippines the second export customer for the Italian manufacturer after South Korea. Bangladesh will be the third in the group with two units on order.