Washington/Manila (Agencies): The United States has approved a potential $120 million sale of Leonardo TH-73A Thrasher training helicopters to the Philippines, marking a significant step in Manila’s efforts to modernize its defense capabilities.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on April 15 that the U.S. Department of State had cleared the possible foreign military sale. The package includes not only the helicopters but also a comprehensive range of support equipment, training, and maintenance services.
Developed by Italian defense company Leonardo, the TH-73A is a military variant of the AW119T commercial training helicopter. The U.S. Navy has used the aircraft since 2021 for training pilots for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
While the exact number of helicopters to be delivered has not been disclosed, the $120 million deal covers additional items such as flight simulators, spare engines, aircraft hoists, external fuel tanks, and maintenance tools. It also includes commercial avionics, GPS and flight management systems, technical documentation, unclassified software, and in-country support services.
The DSCA emphasized that the sale is designed to boost the Philippines’ capacity to respond to evolving security challenges by improving pilot proficiency and rotary-wing aviation training. It also reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to strengthening defense ties with its Indo-Pacific ally.
The deal is expected to enhance interoperability between the Philippine military and its American counterparts, as well as contribute to regional stability amid growing strategic competition in the Asia-Pacific.