해상초계기 필리핀, 미국의 대외 지원으로 해상초계기 전력 증강

[위종민]

필리핀이 미국의 FMS 프로그램을 통해, (아직 계약의 상세 내역이 불확실하긴 합니다만) 킹 에어 360 2기 및 세스나 그랜드캐러밴 208B 초계기 4기를 지원받게 될 모양입니다. 원럐 계약금액은 9,970만 달러였는데 4억달러로 증액됐네요. 아마도 미국의 FMF 펀드에서 지원받는 거겠죠?

미국 대외군사판매(FMS) 프로그램을 통해 필리핀에 감시 항공기 제공 예정

에런-매튜 라리오사
2026년 1월 22일 오후 2시 41분

2023년 9월 19일 팜팡가주 마발라캇의 클라크 공군기지에서 공식 인수, 인도 및 축복식을 거쳐 필리핀 공군 전력에 추가된 신형 세스나 208B(C-208B) 그랜드 캐러밴 EX 정보·감시·정찰(ISR) 항공기. 필리핀 공군 사진

새로운 계약 문서에 따르면, 필리핀 군은 미국 대외군사판매(FMS) 프로그램을 통해 워싱턴으로부터 감시 항공기와 추가적인 정비 지원을 받을 예정이다.

필리핀은 텍스트론에 기존에 9,970만 달러로 체결됐던 계약의 예산이 ‘특정 요구사항 및 서비스’를 위해 4억 달러로 증액된 최근의 요청에서 혜택을 받게 될 여러 미국 파트너 가운데 하나다. 갱신된 계약은 대외군사판매 요구를 충족하기 위한 세스나 및 비치크래프트 항공기의 조달을 명시하고 있다.

계약 문서에 따르면, 필리핀은 킹에어 360 장거리형 2대와 세스나 208-B 터보프롭 항공기 4대에 대한 계약 지원을 필요로 하고 있다.

필리핀 공군은 현재 미국산 터보프롭 항공기 4대를 운용 중이며, 이들 항공기는 마닐라의 대반란 작전과 해양 영역 인식 임무를 지원하기 위해 정보·감시·정찰(ISR) 장비를 탑재하고 있다. 4대의 C-208B 가운데 3대는 미국이 보조금 형태로 제공했으며, 나머지 1대는 국내 재원으로 조달됐다.

필리핀 군(AFP)이나 필리핀 정부 기관 가운데 어느 곳에서도 킹에어 360을 운용하고 있지는 않다.

해당 계약의 요구 사항이 추가 기체 도입인지, 또는 정비 지원인지는 분명하지 않지만, 예산 증액으로 인해 필리핀 공군의 유인 ISR 전력이 사실상 두 배로 늘어날 가능성이 있다.

워싱턴은 필리핀-안보 부문 지원 로드맵이라는 공동 구상을 통해 마닐라의 정보 역량 개발을 우선 과제로 삼아 왔다. 이 구상은 현대적 작전에 대비해 필리핀 군을 강화하는 데 초점을 맞추고 있다. 양국은 남중국해 해상 지형을 둘러싸고 필리핀과 중국 간 여러 차례 마찰이 발생한 가운데 협력을 강화해 왔다.

ISR 장비를 탑재한 터보프롭 항공기와 함께, 미국산 스캔이글(ScanEagle) 드론도 필리핀 해군과 공군에 기증됐다. 이들 가운데 한 기지는 스카버러 암초 인근 서부 루손 해안에 위치한 필리핀 해병대의 신규 브라모스 대함미사일 기지 인근에 배치돼 있다.

2017년 필리핀 전력에 도입된 이후, 이 항공기들은 민다나오와 남중국해 전역에서 광범위하게 운용돼 왔다. 처음에는 대테러 작전을 지원하기 위해 인도됐으며, 최초 2대는 마라위 전투 기간에 도착했다. 이후 마닐라는 베이징과의 긴장이 고조되자 이 항공기들을 국가 연안에서의 대외 작전으로 전환 배치했다.

2023년 인도식에서 당시 필리핀 군 참모총장이었던 로메오 브라우너 장군은 세스나 항공기들이 필리핀 군의 해역 순찰을 지원할 것이라고 밝혔다.

“[이는] 우리의 영토와 주권적 권리를 확보하는 능력을 강화하는 데 도움이 될 것입니다,”라고 브라우너는 말했다.

에런-매튜 라리오사
에런-매튜 라리오사는 워싱턴 D.C.에 기반을 둔 프리랜서 국방 전문 기자다.

Philippines to Receive Surveillance Aircraft via U.S. Foreign Military Sales Program - USNI News

Philippines to Receive Surveillance Aircraft via U.S. Foreign Military Sales Program

Aaron-Matthew Lariosa

January 22, 2026 2:41 PM

A new Cessna-208B (C-208B) Grand Caravan EX Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Aircraft was added to the Philippine Air Force’s fleet after its formal acceptance, turn-over, and blessing on Sept. 19, 2023, at Clark Air Base, Mabalacat, Pampanga. Philippine Air Force photo

The Philippine military is slated to receive surveillance aircraft and additional maintenance support from Washington through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, according to new contract documents.

The Philippines is among several U.S. partners set to gain from a recent solicitation that increased the budget of a previous contract awarded to Textron from $99.7 to $400 million for “specific requirements and services.” The updated contract stipulates the procurement of Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft for foreign military sale requirements.

The Philippines, per contract documents, requires contracted support for two King Air 360 Extended Range and four Cessna 208-B aircraft turboprops.

The Philippine Air Force currently deploys four American turboprops, which were equipped with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) loadouts to aid Manila’s counterinsurgency and maritime domain awareness missions. Of the four C-208Bs, three were provided by the U.S. through grants, while the fourth airframe was procured via domestic funds.

There are no King Air 360s in use with any branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or Philippine government agency.

While it is unclear whether the contract’s requirements stipulate additional airframes or maintenance, the funding expansion has the potential to effectively double the Philippine Air Force’s manned ISR fleet.

Washington has prioritized the development of Manila’s intelligence capabilities in the Philippines-Security Sector Assistance Roadmap, a joint initiative focused on building up the AFP for modern day operations. The two nations have enhanced their cooperation amid several spats between Philippine and Chinese forces over maritime features in the South China Sea.

Alongside the ISR-equipped turboprops, U.S. ScanEagle drones were also donated to the Philippine Navy and Air Force. One of these units is located next to the Philippine Marine Corps’ new BrahMos anti-ship missile base, which sits on the coast of Western Luzon adjacent to Scarborough Shoal.

Since their introduction into Philippine service in 2017, the aircraft have seen extensive deployments throughout Mindanao and the South China Sea. Originally delivered to support counterterrorism initiatives, with the first two arriving during the Battle of Marawi, Manila shifted the planes to external operations along the country’s coast amid tensions with Beijing.

During a 2023 turnover ceremony, then-AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner claimed that the Cessnas would aid the Philippines forces in patrolling the country’s waters.

“[It will help] boost our capability in making sure that we secure our territory and our sovereign rights,” Brawner said.

Aaron-Matthew Lariosa

Aaron-Matthew Lariosa is a freelance defense journalist based in Washington, D.C.

[백선호]

조그만 비행기들이니 아무래도 레이다는 없겠죠???

[위종민]

https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/mag-aerospace-to-supply-manila-with-isr-roled-cessna-caravan/147308.article

이게 208 그랜드캐러밴을 ISR 타입으로 개조하는 계약 관련 기사인데 상세한 장비 내역은 없습니다만, FLIR 감시화면으로 보이는 장면을 기능을 대표하는 장면으로 끼워넣었네요.

https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/2023/09/philippine-air-force-expands-cessna-208b-isr-aircraft-fleet/

이게 그랜드캐러밴 인수 기사인데 레이돔으로 보이는 건 없으니 EO/IR 장비만 붙어있을 것 같습니다. 조종석 아래 불룩한 건 랜딩기어 베이인 듯 하고요.