Two of the aircraft has been delivered and the three remaining planes are expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2018. The Japanese maritime self-defense force have used the aircraft as trainer planes and were later reconfigured for photographic aerial surveys. Defense Undersecretary for Finance and Materiel Raymundo Elefante said the Philippine government would be installing surveillance equipment on the planes. “The planes would not only be deployed in West Philippine Sea but also in Benham Rise,” Elefante said. The Japanese government has agreed to help the Philippine military enhance its maritime patrols over the West Philippine Sea that is being claimed by China.

Source: The Standard November 15, 2017 22:18 UTC