ARMED Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr yesterday said there is still no final decision on whether the military will acquire F-16 fighter jets from the United States.
Interviewed after the celebration of the 49th anniversary of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division in Tanay, Rizal, Brawner said the military is still studying all options in relation to the military’s multi-role fighter acquisition project.
Brawner’s remarks came weeks after an agency under the US Department of National Defense announced the approval of the Philippine request to buy 20 F-16 fighter jets, worth $5.58 billion or nearly P320 billion.
The Philippines’ Department of National Defense is in the process of acquiring multi-role fighters, under the AFP Modernization Program, to boost the military’s territorial defense capabilities.
Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez later said the aircraft may be delivered next year or the following year if the deal pushes through. He also said the Philippines is eyeing US financing to partly fund the acquisition, together with funding from the military’s modernization budget.
Brawner said the Armed Forces is “studying all our options.”
“But definitely, we want to acquire multi-role fighters because we need them for the defense of our country. Whether these are the F-16s or the Gripen or whatever other multi-role fighters, we studying it,” he also said.
By Gripen, Brawner was referring to the Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighters from Sweden, which authorities said are being considered under the multi-role fighter (MRF) acquisition project.
Brawner said the military is happy that US has approved the sale of the F-16s.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), in a statement dated April 1, said the proposed sale supports US’ foreign policy and national security “by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in Southeast Asia.”
The DSCA also said the acquisition will “increase the ability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to protect vital interests and territory, as well as expand interoperability with the US forces.”
“But there is still no final decision on this,” said Brawner on whether the F-16 will actually be acquired.
Asked where the final decision will be coming from, Brawner said: “Decision of the AFP, of our President.”
Brawner said he is hoping the MRF acquisition project will be hastened, noting the importance of such aircraft.
Brawner said there are also plans to acquire 12 FA-50 fighter jets, in addition to the 11 FA-50s currently in the inventory of the Philippine Air Force.
“The additional FA-50s, another 12 FA-50 fighter jets, is more possible because its already in the pipeline,” said Brawner.
“But as to the multi-role fighters, we’re still in the process of determining which one we can get according to our fiscal space, according to how we can afford these platforms,” said Brawner.
