May 20,2008: The Philippines Air Force is buying another 18 Italian SF-260 trainers, for about $812,000 each. The SF-260 has been around for over 40 years, and nearly 900 have been produced. This is a 1.1 ton, two seat aircraft, with a max speed of 347 kilometers an hour and an endurance of about six hours. It can be equipped to carry a few hundred pounds of weapons, and used as a light attack aircraft.

The Philippines had previously bought 64 SF-260s, and has been using them for decades. Because of operational losses and wear-and-tear, few are still in service. The new aircraft will all be in service within 18 months.