The three utility helicopters together worth 2.76 million dollars are the last of a batch of eight pledged by Washington in 2001. Five helicopters arrived last year.

Air force officials said the helicopters had been completely refurbished, at the cost of 550,000 dollars each and had been modernized for night flying.

The air force has 38 Huey helicopters which are used extensively in counter-insurgency operations against communist guerrillas and Muslim separatists in the south.

Military officials have said the armed forces need more helicopters to deal with an upsurge in rebel attacks.

The Philippines is expecting large infusions of American military aid in the coming years after US President George W. Bush granted the country in May privileged status as a special "non-NATO ally."

WAR.WIRE