The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will acquire 12 more FA-50 fighter jets to strengthen its combat capabilities and counter the perceived rapidly growing security threat from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). We plan to obtain it.
The Philippine News Agency Inquirer reported on January 20 that in light of the continuing tensions in the South China Sea (known in Manila as the West Philippine Sea), the Philippines will acquire 12 more light aircraft from South Korea at a cost of P40 billion. (US) reported that it intends to acquire (US$690 million), significantly strengthening its aviation capabilities.
The report noted that the Philippines and South Korea are working on the terms of reference for the intergovernmental agreement, as revealed in the procurement monitoring report issued by the Department of Defense (DND) earlier this month.
The PAF already operates 12 FA-50PH fighter jets, which were acquired by Korean Aerospace as part of a contract worth P18.9 billion (US$320 million) in 2014 during the Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino Jr. administration. Retrieved from Industry (KAI).
This aircraft is widely used for patrol missions. However, it was also used in combat in the Philippines’ war against Islamic State in 2017, known as the Siege of Marawi, and was called a game changer by PAF officials.
The FA-50 purchase comes at a time when the Philippines is effectively backed into a wall in the South China Sea, as National Security Council Assistant Secretary-General Jonathan Malaya recently highlighted. China has conducted offensive exercises against Philippine troops in disputed areas and has occasionally attacked or expelled them from waters it considers “territorial waters.”
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The Philippines is determined to protect its claims in the South China Sea, which has led to frequent clashes between the Philippine military and Chinese coast guard, navy and vessels believed to be militia vessels. These conflicts also raised concerns of a broader regional conflict that could involve the United States.
Currently, the FA-50 is the only combat-capable aircraft in the PAF’s inventory. In fact, the military last year considered deploying the FA-50 to escort patrol aircraft in the South China Sea. The FA-50 is based on the T-50, a modified F-16 trainer capable of supersonic flight for training KF-16 and F-15K pilots.
The FA-50 is primarily designed for air defense, attack, and jet training missions. Compared to the T-50, the FA-50 has a longer radome, tactical datalink, enhanced avionics, and larger internal fuel capacity.
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It is also reportedly equipped with an Israeli EL/M-2032 pulse Doppler radar. Although it may not be equipped to meet the challenges posed by China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the new purchases will strengthen the PAF fleet in numbers capable of carrying out a variety of missions.
Notably, previous reports indicated that KAI was considering selling the upgraded FA-50 to the aircraft’s existing customers. Shin Dong-hak, KAI’s vice president of international business development, said the company plans to enhance data links and add larger external fuel tanks to Manila’s current 12 FA-50 aircraft.
He also noted that the new jets being sold to the Philippines will be equipped with the Raytheon Phantom Strike active electronically scanned array radar, replacing the existing mechanically scanned radar.
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Euroasian Times was unable to independently verify these claims. However, DND has officially confirmed that it is indeed in the process of upgrading the existing FA-50.
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Manila is rapidly modernizing its military to deter China and strengthen its combat capabilities. The Philippine Department of Defense (DND) previously said it plans to purchase 40 multi-role fighter jets, among other advanced weapons systems. Two aircraft were provided to the country: a Saab Gripen-E and a Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72.
Notably, the latest FA-50 acquisition comes amid warnings from military analysts that the PAF is perhaps the least robust military component in the country, effectively protecting the archipelago’s airspace. highlights the need for at least 12 multirole jet squadrons.
The Inquirer report also says the Philippine DND has signed a P6.5 billion (US$110 million) contract for six Embraer Super Tucano light attack aircraft for the PAF’s 15th Strike Wing, due to be signed in December 2024. It has been confirmed that this has been done. This purchase is aimed at strengthening the PAF. Fleet helicopters following a gap caused by the retirement of the last two remaining Rockwell OV-10 Bronco light attack aircraft and two AH-1S Cobra attack aircraft.
Additionally, DND announced the purchase of an aeromedical Bell 412 EPX helicopter for the Philippine Army to use for emergency medical missions for P1 billion (US$17 million).
The report further said the country also plans to upgrade the Philippine military’s various cyber systems, upgrade the PAF’s ground-based air defense system, and some new missiles.
The report further cited some unnamed sources as saying that South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) will ship the first of two guided missile Marwar-class corvettes ordered by the Philippine Navy in March 2025. It is said that it is likely to be delivered in February. These corvettes were ordered by the Philippines in 2021 and have anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-aircraft capabilities.
In addition to the systems mentioned above, the Philippines is reportedly considering purchasing nine BrahMos missile batteries for its army, Euroasian Times recently reported.
If finalized, this will be Manila’s second BrahMos missile order. In 2022, the Philippines signed a US$375 million contract with India for three BrahMos land-based anti-ship missile batteries for its navy.
Manila said last year that it wanted to acquire the US Typhon intermediate-range missile system to strengthen its external defense capabilities. The country’s military commander, General Romeo Browner Jr., announced on August 29 that the Philippines is seeking to acquire the Medium Range Capability (MRC) missile system, commonly known as the Typhon. This was reiterated by the government last month, sparking a fierce response accusing China of sparking an unprecedented arms race.
Manila, cornered by the People’s Liberation Army in the South China Sea, will spend at least P1.894 trillion (US$33.74 billion) to modernize and strengthen its military by acquiring new systems, upgrading existing systems and upgrading military infrastructure. I am working on this.
