Delivery of F-16 jets may start next year – envoy

MANILA, Philippines —   The F-16 fighter jets that the Philippines plans to acquire from the United States may be available for delivery next year at the earliest, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said yesterday.

In an interview on dzBB, Romualdez said the delivery of 20 “brand-new” F-16 fighter jets and other defense equipment to the Philippines will be done in tranches in 2026 or 2027.

“These are all brand new. Some are by block. Some have been offered to us for a very long time now. These will be available for delivery sometime next year or 2027 (for) the succeeding ones,” Romualdez said.

“It depends on the terms, if these are affordable for us and it is approved by the Congress and the President. But that is an offer as part of our AFP modernization program,” Romualdez added.

The US State Department announced on April 1 the proposed sale of the F-16s and related equipment, worth an estimated $5.58 billion just days after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Manila and vowed to counter China’s aggression.

Hegseth underscored the US’ focus of maintaining a strategic advantage over China and the future of the world to be free, after speaking to leaders of the Philippines, Japan, Australia and South Korea.

The timing of the US approval for the sale of fighter jets and associated weapons, equipment and support systems is significant as the Philippines has been engaged in a series of escalating maritime confrontations with China over disputed territories in the South China Sea.

“The F-16 is the best for our Air Force, for our purpose. The Air Force has been studying it as well as our friends here in America. It is the best for our Air Force because of how long it can stay in the air, being able to protect our shores,” Romualdez said.

The ambassador admitted that China’s growing assertiveness and maritime expansion are considered in modernizing Philippine armed forces and acquiring F-16 fighter jets and other equipment.

“That is included because that is the biggest challenge now. Our territorial integrity and sovereignty are being challenged. So that is the reason why we are now really working at getting our Air Force and Armed Forces to be modernized so we can defend ourselves,” he said.

‘Strengthening AFP not a threat’

Senate President Francis Escudero clarified that the government’s plans to acquire fighter jets and missile systems are intended to strengthen national defense and not to provoke regional tensions as claimed by China.

Escudero supported the plan of the AFP to procure F-16 fighter jets from the US, along with other modern weapon systems but he emphasized that the move remains subject to final decisions and multi-year funding arrangements.

“It’s (strengthening national defense) not directed at any specific country. When China strengthened its military, did we complain? Did we try to stop them?” he said in an interview over dzBB.

“Any strengthening for defense is clear – it’s for the defense of a nation and should not be interfered with, intruded upon, or perceived as only for their benefit. This is for us, for the defense and security of our country, and to provide any deterrence necessary to prevent the outbreak of war,” he said.

Escudero also assured the public that defense acquisitions would not take precedence over urgent needs in education, health and agriculture, stating that under the Constitution, defense spending cannot exceed the allocation for education.

“That’s not the only thing we’ll be buying. Governance is about allocating scarce resources. We will still fund other sectors – education, health care, agriculture – based on the needs of the nation at the time,” he said.

The Senate President defended the modernization efforts of the AFP, saying these investments are necessary to provide deterrence and secure the country’s sovereignty, especially in light of rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

“Defense is a sovereign right. It should not be misconstrued as a threat to peace,” he said, responding to criticisms that military build-up could provoke neighboring countries.

When asked if the Senate would approve such budget requests, Escudero said deliberations would weigh the economic conditions and national priorities at the time of proposal.

“We will allocate what is right and necessary, depending on the country’s situation and the limitations of our finances,” he said, emphasizing that economic stewardship remains a priority of the Marcos administration. – Cecille Suerte Felipe