Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, CG Vice Admiral Artemio M Abu joined Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and other concerned government officials in a meeting on the Acquisition of a Multi-Role and Maritime Patrol Aircraft for the Philippine Coast Guard. The aircraft will further enhance the response capabilities of the PCG, particularly during maritime incidents, natural disasters, and calamities. It will also allow the Coast Guard Aviation Force (CGAF) to conduct wide and sustained patrol coverages within the country’s maritime domain.
The Coast Guard Aviation Force (CGAF) of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is eyeing the LET L-410 NG Turbolet for the multi-purpose twin-engine aircraft category. The Let L-410 Turbolet is a twin-engine short-range transport aircraft, manufactured by the Czech aircraft manufacturer Let Kunovice (named Aircraft Industries since 2005), often used as an airliner. The aircraft is capable of landing on short and unpaved runways and operating under extreme conditions from ?50 °C (?58 °F) to +50 °C (122 °F). The L- 410 is one of the longest-produced aircraft in its category in history.
New version featuring a longer nose and a larger rear area to contain twice as much luggage, new more powerful and quieter GE H85 engines with propellers Avia-725, new wing design, and a new modern Garmin G3000 glass cockpit. It has a double range and more endurance compared to the original types. It made its first flight on 29 July 2015. Power grew up to 850 shop instead of the previous 800 shp GE H80-200, speed increased to 223kt (412 km/h). Maximum take-off weight rose 500 kg to 7,000 kg and ranged to 1,350 nm up from the original 820 nm (1,520 km). Fuel capacity rose from 1,300 kg to 2,450 kg and endurance from 5h to 9h. FAA, EASA, and Russian certification took place in late 2017.
Aircraft Industries, a.s., operating as LET, n.p., is a Czech (formerly Czechoslovak) civil aircraft manufacturer. Its most successful design has been the L-410 Turbolet, of which more than 1200 units have been built. Its head office is in Kunovice, Uherské Hradišt? District. LET has been owned by Russian company UGMK since 2008. The company operates the sixth largest Czech airport and a private secondary school. Aircraft Industries, more than 1,200 LET L 410 turbolet aircraft have been manufactured in Kunovice since 1969 and more than a quarter of the total amount is currently in operation.