The Armed Forces of the Philippines defended the procurement of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, saying it needed more units to strengthens its capabilities towards territorial defense under the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).

AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said the aircraft is a vital for the Philippines’ geography and security requirements, emphasizing its defensive nature and cost-efficient performance across missions.

“The Super Tucano is a cost-efficient, mission-fit aircraft that strengthens surveillance, maritime patrol, and close air support under the CADC… We need more of them, not to provoke conflict, but to ensure that every corner of our archipelago is guarded and our people are safe,” Padilla said.

During the Senate budget hearing for the Department of National Defense (DND) on November 28, Senator Raffy Tulfo questioned why the Philippines was buying propeller-driven planes when the country needed faster fighter jets to address external security threats.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) affirmed that its Super Tucano aircraft continue to play a significant role within the service’s diverse fleet.

PAF spokesperson Colonel Ma. Christina Basco explained that the Air Force’s inventory was designed to ensure operational continuity, whether for territorial defense, close air support, or humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR).

“The Air Force has a diverse number of air assets. Ito po ay importante dahil we have different roles to play within the organization… This is part of a multi-role aircraft,” Basco said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City last Tuesday.

Basco cited the recent upgrade work on the Airbus—which temporarily grounded its A320 and A321 aircraft models—as an example of why fleet diversity is vital.

“Yung nangyaring Airbus na upgrading recently. The effect of the upgrading of the Airbus would be grounding of the whole Airbus fleet. If we have most of the aircraft na madadowngrade natin ay magaground, we still have other air assets we could use,” the official explained.

Basco emphasized that the Super Tucano’s flexibility makes it relevant even as the military moves towards a stronger territorial defense posture.

“On the aspect of the PAF, we maintain [the Super Tucanos] and these are properly maintained, undergoing periodic inspections and such. But our defense acquisition and assessment teams are currently working towards studying other air assets and currently upgrading our assets. We have deferred and submitted this to the Department of National Defense for their consideration,” Basco noted.