Manila is not closing its doors on the plan of acquiring 20 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets from the United States, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said, citing talks between the Philippines and the American defence giant...
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Manila is not closing its doors on the plan of acquiring 20 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets from the United States, Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said, citing talks between the Philippines and the American defence giant Lockheed Martin continue.
“We're not closing the door, but it'll take quite some really imaginative and creative ways to be able to purchase,” Romualdez said.
In April, the U.S. Department of State announced that the American government has approved the potential foreign military sale of 20 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets for approximately USD5.58 billion.
In September last year, Romualdez said the Philippines had put plans for the acquisition on hold, citing funding constraints.
This year, Manila is set to receive at least $2.5 billion in defense assistance until 2030 after the U.S. Senate approved legislation in December authorizing new foreign military financing.
However, Romualdez said the latest allocation is anticipated to be earmarked “mostly for defense capabilities on the ground, maritime security, and cyber security.”
“So, we just have to wait and see how we can move forward on that particular item,” he said.
Currently, the PAF operates only 11 FA-50 jets procured in 2014 from the same Korean firm. One of the aircraft crashed in March during a tactical mission in the southern Philippines, resulting in the deaths of two pilots.
Last year, Manila has signed a deal with a South Korean firm Korea Aerospace Industries to purchase 12 upgraded FA-50 Block 70 light fighters worth US $700 million, with all the aircraft delivery schedule set between 2026 to 2030.
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