Lorenzana insists P2-billion aircraft not intended to be a presidential plane

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday underscored that the Gulfstream G280 aircraft , bought by the Philippine government for P2 billion, was not a luxury jet.

In a statement on Friday, Lorenzana said the aircraft was a “necessary component” of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“This particular aircraft is being acquired for the purpose of keeping pace with current technological advancement. This type of aircraft is necessary for a 24/7 real-time command and control, especially during crisis situation,” Lorenzana said.

“It will be operated in consonance with other command and control platforms that we currently have, and those we plan to acquire in the future,” he added.

The aircraft, which costs US$39.9 million or almost P2 billion, is scheduled to be delivered by mid-2020. It was purchased through the US government’s Foreign Military Sales Program.

Lorenzana clarified that the aircraft was not intended to be a presidential plane but as a command and control plane of the Department of National Defense and the military.

“The justification of its procurement says so: ‘For Command and Control,’ which was approved by the DND/AFP senior leaders last year specifically for the purpose stated,” Lorenzana said.

He said the aircraft would also be utilized for “mercy flights” to ferry wounded soldiers and critically ill civilians that need to be quickly transported to hospitals.

Lorenzana added that other cabinet secretaries and other high government officials could use it in their official trips.

Lorenzana also ensured that the acquisition of the Gulfstream aircraft was not a “frivolous pursuit,” but rather a result of careful planning with due consideration to the needs of the military. —LDF, GMA News