[ PNA ] PH can’t get F-16 jets for now due to budget woes
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 for now due to budgetary constraints.
“For now, it is very unlikely that we will be able to acquire F-16s as our budget for (the MRF project) will only allow us to get two (if we will proceed). And if we will decide to acquire the Gripen, the Swedish-made fighter aircraft, (Saab JAS-39), we can get six),” Lorenzana said in an online press briefing.
He, however, admitted that the F-16 is a very good aircraft as even new or rookie pilots can operate and land it safely after some instructions as proven by his experience in the aircraft’s simulator.
He said the only way the Philippines can acquire F-16 jet fighters is through a favorable “financing scheme” by the US.
If this will not happen, he said the Philippines has no choice but to look into the Gripen fighter aircraft.
DPA Notes: Looks like Philippines is trying very hard to pressure USA to give them a massive discount for the F16s through this Philippines government news agency article.
And the article say Philippines can only buy 2 x F16 or 6 x Gripens? Which means the budget is now, on the upside, only 200-300 million USD? (The article wrongly attributed the price of F16V to be between 12 – 35 million USD, which is probably not sufficient to even buy a single FA-50 Golden Eagle.
Thus as 300 million, it is possible to get 6 lower end Gripens.
But at that budget, Philippines can get 12 x FA-50 Golden Eagles at a bargained price. (as it cost around 30-35 million per pcs)