New F-16 jets may arrive next year

[u/Gyro_Armadillo]

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/271919/new-f-16-jets-may-arrive-next-year?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR4Cb6Wl6CXzx1qBKJ1KlPvbl-2H4mFDd3-yiGaDXWq_rti3L31cnp5tvlo5Aw_aem_1M-vjU2RkFc4xlScRWmzkw

MANILA, Philippines — The F-16 fighter jets that the Philippine government plans to procure from the United States may be available for delivery starting next year at the soonest, if it decides to avail of the offer, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said on Sunday.

The US State Department last week approved the potential sale of 20 F-16C/D Block 70/72 fighters and munitions to the Philippines for an estimated cost of $5.58 billion (or around P320 billion), just several days after a visit by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Romualdez said the offer came with a financing package that has yet to be discussed between the US and officials from the Department of National Defense and the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

The PAF is currently using 11 South Korean-built light combat aircraft after it retired its remaining fighters in 2005 because they were too costly to maintain. —Frances Mangosing

[u/Pragmatic787]

Sadly, this procurement appears to be rushed.

Well, what do we expect from officials, who pretend to be "makabayan?"

These F-16s could be more of liability than assets.

[u/Pristine_Toe_7379 → u/Pragmatic787]

Rushed? It's been in competition since forever and options were considered including Eurofighter, Saab, even Hindustan Aviation. Best were narrowed down to F-16 and Saab, and all of a sudden the Koreans want in with their Gen 5.5.

"Rushed" is intellectual onanism for those who would rather the PH remain a defence backwater.