PHILIPPINE Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura yesterday said the PAF will not be at par with its Chinese counterpart even 20 years from now despite the military’s continuing modernization efforts.
In a press briefing at Villamor Air Base, Cordura said the planned acquisition of multi-role fighters (MRFs) and other assets will just make China think twice before intruding into the Philippine airspace.
“If we are comparing ourselves to the threat in the region, let’s say China, we cannot be at par with China even 10 to 20 years from now,” said Cordura.
China has around 3,000 fighter aircraft at present, including the J series jets.
On the other hand, the Philippines has only 11 FA-50 fighter jets but efforts are underway to acquire more to defend the country’s airspace.
The defense department recently signed a $700 million contract with Korea Aerospace Industry for the delivery of 12 upgraded FA-50s.
The defense and military establishment are also in the process of acquiring more advanced MRFs.
“That’s the reality here,” said Cordura in comparing the PAF’s capability with the Chinese air force.
Nevertheless, Cordura said the Air Force is aiming to achieve a “credible deterrence” posture.
“They will think twice if you have GBADS (ground-based air defense system), if you have shooters, if you have multi-role fighters,” said Cordura.
“Imagine if we have multi-role fighters that can do what others can do, what their platform can also do and even better. That is the rationale behind the importance of our multi-role platform,” said Cordura.
Cordura said Japan’s Mitsubishi fighters are being considered for procurement under the MRF acquisition program.
Officials have earlier mentioned that the US F-16 and Sweden’s Saab JAS 39 are being considered for procurement under the project.
“Mitsubishi fighters, the Japanese-made multi-role, are also very potent platforms,” said Cordura.
He said they are not discounting the possibility of acquiring aircraft from Japan “if they will serve the purpose of our territorial defense plan.”
As to the status of the MRF acquisition program, Cordura said they are waiting for the decision of the Department of Defense on which aircraft would be acquired.
“Any platform that we have recommended and what we have studied and researched on are win-win for not only for the Philippine Air Force but for the AFP,” said Cordura.
“It’s already waiting a decision from our department (DND) and it will be very soon,” said Cordura.
The Philippine Navy said it has recently monitored the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong passing through the northern part of the country towards the West Philippine Sea.
Navy spokesman for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the aircraft carrier was accompanied by several Chinese Navy and Coast Guard ships.
“Awareness sometimes would lead to us sending out a patrol to verify. Not in all instances do we do that,” said Trinidad.
“For the particular case of the Shandong, they were doing it under freedom of navigation. We were aware that they passed through our waters,” added Trinidad.
Trinidad also said the Navy is ready to secure oil explorations in the West Philippine Sea from any possible harassment.
Earlier reports said the Department of Energy and Prime Energy hired drillship Noble Viking to conduct drilling operations at the Malampaya Phase 4 project.
Asked if the Navy will escort the drillship to ensure its safety from a foreign power that may interfere with its operation, Trinidad said: “Your Philippine Navy and your Armed Forces are ready to provide security and protection to any effort by the national government to exploit the natural resources within our exclusive economic zone.
“We are prepared to provide protection to any other party that will be working with the Philippine government and provide security against any interference of any foreign power,” added Trinidad.
