Philippines Buys F-16s and JAS 39 Gripens to Against China

Philippines Buys F-16s and JAS 39 Gripens to Against China
Since the U.S. approved the potential sale of 12 F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines in 2021, Manila has been contending with the question of how to finance the costly purchase. Among the solutions the country is considering include switching to purchases of secondhand aircraft or receiving financial aid from Washington. When the sale was announced in June 2021, the U.S. estimated the cost of the aircraft and related equipment at $2.43 billion, more than half of the Philippines' annual defense budget. The aircraft are intended to check China's air and maritime operations in the South China Sea. The ambassador's plea for financial aid comes as the Philippine Air Force prepares to choose new fighter aircraft in the near future, a major part of the effort to modernize its military. The Philippine News Agency reports that Sweden has offered its Saab JAS 39 Gripen multi-role aircraft, which is believed to be one of the two top contenders along with American F-16 aircraft. The Philippine armed forces laid out a 15-year modernization program in 2012 to upgrade its defense equipment, and the recent acquisition of Japanese-made radars that can track intrusions up to 300 kilometers is a step in that direction. The program is expected to continue beyond 2027 with the goal of ensuring that the Philippines has a capable and modern military.

[@RodneyAlicaway]

Best choice F16 ❤

[@MilitaryAnalysis970]

thank you