IRIA News

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The United States has approved a sale of 20 F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, a transaction valued at approximately $5.58 billion. The deal also includes a broad range of support systems and munitions, making it one of the largest defense packages the Philippines has ever pursued.

According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the package will significantly enhance the Philippine Air Force’s ability to conduct a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground operations, and maritime domain awareness.

The aircraft will be equipped with cutting-edge systems, including Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, advanced targeting pods, electronic warfare equipment, and modern navigation and communication tools.

Along with the 16 single-seat F-16C Block 70/72 and four dual-seat F-16D Block 70/72 aircraft, the deal includes 112 AIM-120C-8 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs), 40 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles, and dozens of general-purpose and precision-guided bombs.

These weapons and their associated guidance kits are designed to maximize the capabilities of the F-16s in various combat environments, particularly in defending the Philippines’ vast archipelagic territory and its exclusive economic zones.

The DSCA emphasized that this sale would improve the security of a strategic partner and reinforce political stability and economic progress in Southeast Asia. It also noted that the deal would strengthen interoperability between the Philippine and U.S. armed forces.

Strengthening defense ties in the Indo-Pacific

This development comes after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent visit to the Philippines. His trip coincided with preparations for the annual Balikatan joint military exercise and occurred amid growing tensions between Washington and Beijing over the South China Sea.

During his visit, Hegseth stated that the U.S. aims to “re-establish deterrence” and bolster its network of allies in the Indo-Pacific region. The timing of the deal aligns with a broader U.S. strategy to counter China’s expanding influence in Asia, and the Philippines plays a central role in this effort.

The proposed fighter jet acquisition represents a major milestone in the Philippines’ long-delayed efforts to modernize its air force. The country has lacked frontline fighter jets since retiring its Northrop F-5A/Bs in 2005.

While previous efforts to procure modern aircraft date back to the 1990s, progress has been slow and plagued by financial and political hurdles. A 2021 proposal for the sale of 12 F-16 Block 70/72 jets fell through after the Philippines failed to meet the funding requirements, having allocated only $1.1 billion for the acquisition against a projected cost of $2.43 billion.

Broader implications

The latest deal appears to have a stronger chance of moving forward, largely due to the broader defense modernization framework being pursued under the Marcos administration. Last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved Horizon 3, the final phase in a long-term military modernization plan.

This program, backed by a proposed budget of 1.89 trillion pesos (about $33.6 billion) over the next decade, is designed to transition the Philippine military from internal security operations to external defense readiness.

Philippines’ Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has repeatedly underscored the need for a significant number of fighter jets, saying that buying just a dozen “will not make any difference at all.” He also noted the defense department is open to flexible financing terms, including spread-out payments and potential syndicated loans from private lenders, given the high costs involved. Up to 400 billion pesos ($6.9 billion) may be allocated specifically for the acquisition of 40 multirole fighter jets.

Congressional review

Despite the announcement of the U.S. State Department’s approval, the final deal is still subject to U.S. congressional review, a standard step in any foreign military sale. If no objections are raised, negotiations will proceed between the Philippine government and the contractor, Lockheed Martin.

The State Department clarified that any offset agreements, which may involve technology transfers or domestic industrial participation, will be determined during those negotiations.

From a geopolitical standpoint, this potential arms deal is likely to stir responses from China, especially given the ongoing disputes in the South China Sea, which the Philippines refers to as the West Philippine Sea. However, Philippine officials have been careful to frame the procurement as part of a broader strategy to secure the country’s sovereignty, not to provoke conflict.

The U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya stated that the planned procurement was not intended to harm any third party’s interests, including those of China. Instead, it is a necessary step to modernize the country’s defense and uphold its territorial integrity.

The U.S. approval of a possible sale of F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines marks a turning point in Manila’s military modernization efforts. It reflects not only the country’s renewed commitment to building a credible external defense capability but also the deepening of U.S.-Philippine security ties at a time of rising regional tensions. While the acquisition still faces financial and logistical challenges, it signals a decisive shift in the Philippines’ defense posture and its role in the evolving strategic landscape of the Indo-Pacific.