Philippines Pushes Ahead with Additional FA-50 Plan

Our Bureau - : Apr 17, 2025 - : 11:54 pm

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. has confirmed that the proposed acquisition of 12 additional FA-50 fighter jets remains on track. “The additional FA-50s—the other 12 fighter jets—are more likely...

To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. has confirmed that the proposed acquisition of 12 additional FA-50 fighter jets remains on track.

“The additional FA-50s—the other 12 fighter jets—are more likely to be acquired as they are already in the pipeline,” Brawner said in a brief interview with reporters, as quoted by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) earlier submitted a formal recommendation to the Department of National Defense (DND) for the procurement of the aircraft. The move forms part of the AFP’s Re-Horizon 3 modernisation programme, which focuses on strengthening intelligence, area denial, and deterrence capabilities.

On the possible acquisition of multi-role fighters (MRFs), Brawner said the selection process remains ongoing, with affordability and operational requirements being key considerations.

“As for the MRFs, we’re still determining which platform we can acquire given our fiscal space and how we can afford them,” he said. “Whether these are the F-16 Vipers, the JAS-39 Gripen, or other MRFs—we are still studying the options.”

He noted the importance of these aircraft in enhancing the country’s air defence posture and expressed hope that a decision would be reached soon.

Brawner also welcomed the recent announcement by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which disclosed on 1 April that the US State Department had approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Philippines involving 20 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets, estimated at USD5.58 billion.

The proposed package includes airframes, spare parts, weapons, munitions, sensors, targeting systems, and training. However, Brawner stressed that the Philippine government has yet to make a final decision on the offer.

The new batch would supplement the PAF’s existing fleet of 11 FA-50PHs, which were delivered by Korea Aerospace Industries between 2015 and 2017 under a PHP18.9 billion contract.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has lost one FA-50 jet in March 2025 during a night-time combat support mission in a southern province. The jet crashed while providing air support to ground troops engaged in operations against communist insurgents. Both pilots were killed in the incident.

Following the crash, the Philippine Air Force temporarily grounded the entire FA-50 fleet as a precautionary measure while the cause of the accident was investigated. The aircraft have since been cleared and returned to operational status.

Philippine-air-force-paf / Fa-50 /

MORE NEWS