A United States Air Force Pacific Air Command F-16 takes off for an aerial display during the Australian International Airshow 2025 at Avalon Airport. Photo: LAC Ryan Howell
The US State Department has approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets to the government of the Philippines under a US$5.58 billion foreign military sale.
The US State Department has approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets to the government of the Philippines under a US$5.58 billion foreign military sale.
The US Congress was notified of the possible sale, which includes 16 F-16 C Block 70/72 aircraft and four F-16 D Block 70/72 aircraft, by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 1 April.
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Under the sale, the Philippines would also receive 24 F110-GE-129D or F100-PW-229 engines, 22 AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array scalable agile beam radars, 22 modular mission computers 7000AH, 22 embedded global positioning system inertial navigation systems with selective availability anti-spoofing module and 88 LAU-129 guided missile launchers.
Major components of the sale would also include 22 M61A1 anti-aircraft guns, 112 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-120C-8, 40 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles, 60 MK-82 500-pound general purpose bombs, 60 MK-84 2,000-pound general purpose bombs, 30 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) KMU-572 tail kits for GBU-38 or laser JDAM GBU-54, four AMRAAM guidance sections, 36 Guided Bomb Unit (GBU)-39/B small diameter bombs increment 1.
As well as 12 AN/AAQ-33 sniper advanced targeting pods, 24 multifunctional information distribution system-joint tactical radio systems, 32 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles, AN/ALQ-254 Viper Shield electronic warfare or equivalent systems, AIM-9X Sidewinder training missiles and active optical target detectors, infrared search and track systems, air combat manoeuvring instrument range systems, countermeasures, LAU-117 and LAU-88 Maverick launchers, classified and unclassified software and software support, classified and unclassified publications, manuals, and technical documentation, facilities and construction support, simulators and training devices, personnel training and training equipment, logistics and program support.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States 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 south-east Asia,” according to a statement published by the DSCA.
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“The proposed sale will enhance the Philippine Air Force’s ability to conduct maritime domain awareness and close air support missions and enhance its suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) and aerial interdiction capabilities.
“This sale will also 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. The Philippines will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional US Government or contractor representatives to the Philippines. There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”
The principal contractor is expected to be Lockheed Martin.
