F-16 Remains A Dream For PAF

Gripen More Likely

17 September 2021

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday said the Philippines is unlikely to acquire Lockheed Martin F-16 jet fighters for its multi-role fighter (MFR) program due to its steep price but considers acquisition of Swidish made Gripen more likely.

Lorenzana disclosed in Washington DC that the Philippine government doesn't have enough money to buy jets that will be used in the MRF project. 

The Philippines is shopping for a new multi-role fighter jet and is evaluating the F-16 of Lockheed Martin and the SAAB Gripen.

The U.S. State Department has recently approved the potential sale of F-16 fighter jets, as well as Sidewinder and Harpoon missiles, to the Philippines in three separate deals with a combined value of more than $2.5 billion, the Pentagon said last June 21 in Washington.

"That is if we can afford it. We are currently looking at different financing options to push this through." Lorenzana said.

The Defence Chief said that for the price of six Gripen the Air Force can only operate a pair of the F-16 variant considered by PAF. 

Lorenzana said the only way the Philippines could acquire the US$ 85 million F-16 jet fighter is through a favorable US military "financing scheme" (military aid) similar to those offered to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq.

The Pentagon said the Philippines has requested to buy 10 F-16C Block 70/72 aircraft and two F-16D Block 70/72 aircraft made by Lockheed Martin. 

That package, which includes spares and training, is valued at up to $2.43 billion which the Philippine government is finding hard to finance. Another package includes AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air missiles worth $42.2 million, and another 12 Harpoon Air Launched Block II Missiles, two training missiles, spares and equipment made by Boeing and valued at up to $120 million.

Lorenzana said they are finding mutually beneficial financing scheme to acquire the jet in installments, and if this arrangement is not found this year the Philippines has no choice but to look into the Gripen fighter aircraft.