Manila, July 10 -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will acquire two more Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" cargo aircraft to add to its existing fleet of five used to transport medical supplies and personnel tasked to contain the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

"Based on our current status reports, one of the C-130s is expected to arrive this month (July) while the other one will arrive before the end of the year. Both have no specific (arrival) dates yet," Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said in a message to the Philippine News Agency Thursday.

The cost of acquisition for the two C-130s is PHP2.5 billion.

"Cost is PHP2.5 billion. They (C-130s were) co-financed by the Philippines (who contributed PHP1.6 billion) and the US through FMF (Foreign Military Financing) program worth (PHP900 million)," Andolong added.

The US FMF program provides grants and loans for the acquisition of US defense equipment, services, and training.

The C-130 is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now known as Lockheed Martin.

Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport aircraft.