Philippine S.211 SIAI-Marchetti

Since 1990s, Philippine Air Force has been using S-211 as Trainer with a secondary Attack Capability. These trainer jets were re designated as AS—211s then it was nicknamed "Warriors" with F-5 retirement in 2005.

The additional task of the air defense was assigned to it, because of this plane, Philippine Air Force initiated some improvements to AS—211s to improve its combat capability thru series of programs and innovations.

As we can remember, the first program called "Project Falcon" which installed Norsight Optical Sight from the retired F-5s into AS-211. The program was then initiated by Lieutenant Colonel Dela Cruz, Group Commander of 5th Tactical Fighter Group. Then this was followed by "Project Falcon Uniform" program which repainted aircraft with 2-tone Light and Dark Ghost Gray paint scheme along with low visibility markings to reduce their overall visibility.

"Project Falcon Hear" saw the optimizing of the air-ground communications on AS-211 by the upgrades and installing AN/ARC-34 UHF radios from F-5A/B. The aircraft were fitted with Belly Gun Pod designed, developed and manufactured by Philippine company Aerotech Industries Philippines, Inc.. Each Pod was equipped with M3 .50 caliber Machine Gun, automatic charger and approximately 240 rounds of .50 cal ammunition.

25 aircraft, including one partially completed airframe for spare parts and 15 assembled locally by Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation.Due to accidents, 13 remain in inventory. S.211 models were locally upgraded to AS-211 "Warrior" standard for ground-attack missions. Several more airframes stored, waiting for reactivation.Three more will be reactivated as jet trainers - aimed at increasing the number of aerial assets needed to screen and train prospective FA-50 pilots.