Philippines Plans to Spend US$33 Billion (RM142 Billion) on Arms to Counter China’s Aggression
The Philippines is planning to spend US$33 billion (RM142 billion) to modernize its military with medium-range missiles and modern fighter jets, according to senior defense officials from the Southeast Asian nation.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Philippines is planning to spend US$33 billion (RM142 billion) to modernize its military with medium-range missiles and modern fighter jets, according to senior defense officials from the Southeast Asian nation.
This substantial defense expenditure comes as the Philippines faces increasing aggression from China, particularly in the South China Sea.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines seeks to acquire more advanced weapons systems,” said General Romeo Brawner, the country’s military chief, in a statement to the media just hours after Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro announced that the country is considering several arms sales offers from various nations.
“We aim to procure the latest defense weapons, including those with medium-range capabilities,” Brawner added during a joint press conference with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Samuel Paparo in Baguio, northern Philippines.
Both the Philippine and U.S. military forces are preparing for their largest military exercise this year, according to Paparo, who also noted that defense cooperation between the two nations will be further strengthened to counter China.
In April, the U.S. military deployed medium-range missile systems in northern Philippines during joint exercises, which provoked China’s anger, as Beijing claimed that the missile presence heightened the risk of conflict between the two nations and in the region.
The U.S. “Typhon” medium-range missile system, which remains in the Philippines, was not launched during the joint exercises in April. Its presence in the Philippines serves to demonstrate the U.S. military’s capability to transfer missile systems to the Southeast Asian nation using air assets.
Previously, Manila had announced its plans to allocate US$33 billion to modernize and enhance its military capabilities, including the possible acquisition of 40 fighter jets.
Several countries have already submitted bids for the latest fighter jets.
According to regional military observers, the Philippines is nearing a decision on acquiring Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA).
The KF-21 “Boramae” fighter jet is reportedly in the running to supply the Philippine Air Force’s Multi-Role Fighter Program (MRF) alongside the U.S.-made F-16 and Sweden’s JAS39 Gripen, making it a three-way competition.
In 2021, the United States approved the potential sale of 12 of the latest variant F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, but the purchase has been delayed due to financial constraints faced by Manila, which considers the price offered by Washington to be “too expensive.”
The potential sale of 10 F-16C Block 70/72 and two F-16D Block 70/72 aircraft, developed by Lockheed Martin, is valued at US$2.5 billion (RM11.25 billion).
Given the high cost of the latest F-16 fighter jets offered by the United States, which is beyond the Philippines’ budget, the Southeast Asian nation is exploring alternative options for acquiring new fighter jets for its air force.
Due to the prohibitive cost of the F-16s, Sweden has offered the JAS39 Gripen fighter jets to the Philippines.
At present, the JAS39 Gripen is reportedly leading the competition to meet the Philippines’ requirements. — DSA
