Weeks after the Philippines announced the potential acquisition of a Multi-Role Fighter (MRF), several renowned aircraft manufacturers queued at the Asian Defense and Security Exhibition (ADAS) 2024 in Manila.
The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) indicated that it plans to buy 40 multi-role fighter jets late last month. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the country intended to invest at least 1.894 trillion pesos, or $33.74 billion, to upgrade and strengthen its external defense, which may involve purchasing 40 combat aircraft.
EurAsian Times had previously reported that the Saab Gripen-E and the Boeing F-16 Block 70/72 were vying for a potential Philippines Air Force (PAF) contract.
The interested original equipment manufacturers were showcasing their products at ADAS-2024, reported Janes. This included Swedish manufacturer Saab with its Gripen-E, Lockheed Martin with its F-16, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with its KF-21 ‘Boramae’, Leonardo with the Eurofighter, Turkish Aerospace (TA) with its Hürjet and KAAN. The report noted that Dassault Rafale was also in the fray but did not participate in ADAS.
Of all the participants reportedly pitching to the PAF, Saab was the only firm to showcase a full-size mock-up of its Gripen E/F, the report noted.
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Saab Gripen-E
Saab describes the Gripen-E as “designed to defeat any adversary. Made for forward-thinking air forces, Gripen E incorporates cutting-edge technologies, the latest systems, sensors, weapons, and pods to ensure combat advantage, delivering air superiority in highly contested environments. Silent networking and total sensor fusion across a tactical air unit to blind and confuse the enemy. One aircraft is active, the others go passive”.
After a protracted string of disappointments in the export market, especially in Europe, which has largely opted for the Lockheed F-35, Swedish company Saab has now set its sights on the Philippines.
A deal was inked in May between the Philippines and Sweden, which could facilitate Manila’s potential purchase of Gripen-E fighters. The agreement essentially offers a framework for government purchases of Swedish defense hardware.
Last year, PAF chief Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño led a delegation to Sweden to engage the Swedish Air Force and tour the Saab facility, inspecting the JAS-39 and the Saab 340 airborne early warning and control aircraft.
Saab has been emboldened by the Thai government’s decision to acquire the Gripen-E over the Lockheed Martin F-16. It has been actively highlighting Gripen’s history in Southeast Asia to attract the Thai government and could take the same approach with the Philippines.
F-16 Block 70/72
The F-16 Block 70/72, also known as the F-16V, is an upgraded version of the F-16 multirole fighter. The new variant incorporates modern features and technological advancements while serving as a versatile and efficient fighter aircraft.
The F-16V builds upon the capabilities of the F-16, which is popular for its combat performance on diverse battlefields.
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The US has offered the aircraft to Manila amid the burgeoning military cooperation between the two sides fueled by the Chinese aggression against the Southeast Asian country.
Earlier this year, an unknown source told Reuters that “there is a possibility that next year there might be an additional budget for the Air Force.” The source added that the Philippines’ Defense Department is poised to purchase the latest F-16 fighter jets.
The US is a treaty ally of the Philippines and has rapidly expanded its military presence in the country, securing new military facilities to counter the threat posed by China. It also pledged $500 million in military aid to bolster Manila’s security forces.
There is widespread belief that Washington enjoys political privilege in Manila, and a potential financing deal by the country could bolster the chances of the F-16 being selected by the PAF.
KF-21 Boramae
Although the South Korean FA-50 is currently the mainstay of the PAF, another South Korean aircraft is in the fray—the KF-21. Earlier this month, media reports indicated that Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) had offered 10 KF-21 “Boramae” fighter jets to the Philippines.
The KF-21 is a 4.5th-generation aircraft that entered mass production only recently and is believed to be at par with other cutting-edge fighters.
There is speculation that KAI could enhance the MRF agreement for Manila by including 12 FA-50 Block 20 light aircraft within the comprehensive contract. However, EurAsian Times could not independently verify these reports.
Nonetheless, the Philippines has repeatedly observed that the small number of FA-50s in its fleet is not enough to meet the regional challenges.
Turkish Hurjet
According to the Janes report, Turkish Aerospace (TA) also participated in ADAS-24 with its light aircraft Hurjet, which may be on offer to Manila. Hurjet is Turkey’s first indigenously built supersonic light attack/trainer aircraft.
The aircraft gained significant attention when it was selected as a contender in Malaysia’s light fighter jet procurement process. However, the aircraft eventually lost to the South Korean FA-50.
Though information on any such offer to Manila is scant, Turkish officials have indicated a significant international interest in the Hurjet aircraft. Moreover, Turkey has also sold its Atak helicopters to the Philippines and has been making concerted efforts to expand defense cooperation with the country.
Besides Hurjet, the TA was also reportedly promoting its fifth-generation KAAN aircraft, which is currently under testing. EurAsian Times could not gather much information about a KAAN offering to Manila, but Turkish officials had earlier hinted that the aircraft would be marketed to Asian countries.
Eurofighter & Rafale
According to Janes, Leonardo took part in the ADAS-24 to promote its Eurofighter Typhoons to the Philippines.
While there has been no information in the media regarding Eurofighter’s potential export to Manila, an economic impact study of the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet conducted by the Eurofighter consortium earlier this year projected hundreds of possible sales for the aircraft.
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The Eurofighter Typhoon is a multirole, supersonic, canard delta wing, twin-engine European multinational fighter produced by a team comprising Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo. According to Airbus, the Eurofighter is the most advanced swing-role fighter.
Besides the Eurofighter, another European aircraft—the Dassault Rafale—has been pitched to the PAF, according to Janes. Though EurAsian Times could not independently verify this, it must be pointed out that the two countries have recently strengthened their defense relations.
For instance, in July this year, French Rafale fighter jets and support aircraft participating in the Pegase 24 mission landed in the Philippines for the first time. At that time, reports noted that PAF fighter pilots would get a chance to fly onboard the Rafale jets and familiarize themselves with the aircraft.
Some unverified reports have stated that Dassault may have offered the F4 variant of Rafale to the PAF.
That said, the Philippines has kept its cards close to its chest and refused to divulge any information. Earlier, when probed on a future MRF acquisition, Filipino Defense Secretary Teodoro refused to name the bidders or the type of fighter the country intends to purchase.
He said, “The bidding is a secret process right now, but we are continuing to review tenders that are acceptable.”
A potential acquisition of an MRF by the Philippines is crucial for strengthening the nation’s capability to extend its influence beyond its territorial waters in the strategically vital and resource-rich South China Sea, where it faces a massive threat from China.
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