DND eyes Japan's P-3C Orion spy plane

The Department of National Defense is interested in acquiring Japan's P-3C Orion surveillance plane as soon it gets replaced with the more advanced P-8 Poseidon, DND Undersecretary Peter Galvez said on Wedmesday.

 

Galvez, the DND spokesman, said the acquisition of the spy plane, a unit of which has had two flights over parts of the West Philippine Sea, was discussed in the bilateral talks with Japan.

 

Acquiring the P-3C Orion, Galvez said, could be done via an Excess Defense Articles (EDA) deal.

 

Philippine Navy officers have been working with Japanese counterparts in surveillance flights of the Orion and the Philippine Navy's Islander.

 

The Orion can fly up to ten hours on a mission while the Islander's range is five hours max.

 

The Orion can also detect submarines.

 

Japan and the Philippines' five days of military training exercises conclude Thursday. — ELR, GMA News