Philippines eyes multirole fighter jets for ‘credible deterrence’ against China

Air force chief says more advanced platforms needed to meet defence goals, as country weighs choice between F-16s and Gripen

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A US F-16 fighter jet lands at an air base in Gwangju, South Korea in April. The Philippines is considering whether to buy the F-16 or Sweden’s Gripen to boost its air force. Photo: EPA-EFE/Yonhap

Published: 8:56pm, 1 Jul 2025Updated: 10:46pm, 1 Jul 2025

The Philippines must acquire more advanced fighter jets – and soon – to build a “niche air force” capable of credible deterrence against Chinese intrusions, its air force chief has said, as Manila weighs whether to pursue US-made F-16s or Sweden’s Gripen.

Manila last month signed a US$700 million deal to acquire 12 additional FA-50 light combat aircraft from South Korea, expanding the Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s fleet to 24 by the end of the decade. These upgraded models will come with enhanced range and weapons capacity, but remain limited compared with full-fledged multirole fighters (MRF).

Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura said he welcomed the additional FA-50s but stressed that more advanced platforms were needed to meet the country’s defence goals. He said acquiring true MRFs would allow the PAF to project credible strength across the Philippine archipelago and its maritime zones.

“We cannot be at par with China even 10 to 20 years from now. That’s the reality here,” Cordura said during a media briefing on June 24, ahead of the PAF’s 78th founding anniversary. “But we can project what we call credible deterrence. They will think twice if they will intrude into the country.”

A Philippine Air Force helicopter passes above Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Cabra during a joint maritime activity with the US in disputed waters of the South China Sea in June. Photo: EPA-EFE

Cordura confirmed that the air force had submitted its preferred choice of MRF to the Department of National Defence (DND), although he declined to name the specific model.

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