MANILA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The United States will turn over on Saturday 10 refurbished Vietnam War era UH-1H Huey Helicopters as part of its commitment to support the Philippine military's modernization program and counter-terrorism operations.

    In a statement, the U.S. Embassy in Manila said the aircraft are part of 20 helicopters designated for the Philippines by President George W. Bush. An additional 10 helicopters will be delivered later this year.

    They were refurbished in the United States through the U.S. Foreign Military Financing program at a cost of 22 million U.S. dollars for the 20 aircraft.

    The U.S. gave nearly 30 million U.S. dollars in Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines last year.

    "The helicopters, which were refurbished under a U.S. Government program, will be used by the Philippine Air Force (PAF)to supplement its modernization program and will increase PAF's capabilities to combat terrorism and provide humanitarian assistance during natural disasters," the embassy statement said.

    U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney will turn over the aircraft to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a ceremony that will include pouring champagne over the nose of the helicopters at Villamor Air Base in Manila.

    Upon the helicopters' arrival in May at Subic Bay, they were transferred to the Clark Economic Zone, which is a former U.S. airbase north of Manila, where PAF specialists conducted the routine maintenance and flight checks required for all aircraft, and painted the helicopters in the PAF color scheme.

    "The U.S. Foreign Military Financing program is just one example of the long partnership between the Philippines and the U.S. This aircraft turnover, along with the turnover of a C-130 cargo aircraft in April 2006, is part of the long-term U.S. commitment to assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines' modernization program," the embassy said.

    The U.S. military also provides training, advice, and security assistance, and shares information with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

    The ongoing U.S.-Philippine military cooperative programs include Philippine Defense Reform, counter-terrorism training, annual exercises, education and training, advice and support for logistics, engineering, equipment, and maintenance, civilian assistance programs such as free community medical, dental, and veterinarian clinics and humanitarian assistance cooperation during natural disasters.