Rice Aircraft Looks to Overturn Philippine UH-1D Contract Termination

MANILA, -- The US supplier of refurbished UH-1D Huey combat utility helicopters to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is seeking to overturn a decision by the Department of National Defense (DND) to terminate the contract due to late delivery.

The DND ruled on 17 April to terminate its contract with a joint venture (JV) between Rice Aircraft Services and Eagle Copters, claiming that only seven of the 21 on-order UH-1Ds were delivered by the agreed schedule.

Phil Kemp, vice-president of Rice Aircraft and the company's country manager for the Philippines, told IHS Jane's on 24 April that the JV is currently exploring options for delivering the remaining helicopters to the DND.