US military aid for Philippines

Whilst the US has gained access to four more military bases in the Philippines after extensive negotiations with the Philippine government under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Arrangement (EDCA), one can expect this must have an effect on more military aid to boost the capacity of the Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas (PAF, Philippine Air Force).

The US government has again offered to supply twelve Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons. Back in 2021, the US Congress approved the transfer of a squadron of twelve F-16s to the Philippines for USD 2,4 billion under the FMS programme. Philippine Air Force's Multirole Fighter Acquisition Project still considers a possible acquisition of Sweden's SAAB 39 Gripen, however with the latest developments under EDCA it seems an almost logical step for the Philippines to obtain the F-16. It has not been reported which variant of the F-16 is involved in the offer, but if delivery of the fighters should start at short notice, this must be second hand F-16C/D models.

Next to a possible acquisition of F-16s, the Department of National Defence (DND) has made a request for the transfer of three US Air Force A-29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft that are eyed for retirement by 2024. The aircraft, built by Sierra Nevada, were used during evaluation for the USAF requirement for a light attack aircraft. Since the Philippines already uses the A-29B Super Tucano, it won't have difficulty accepting additional aircraft, and could help boost the number of aircraft in time for the early retirement of the OV-10 Bronco fleet.

The new bases, opened up under EDCA, will allow the US to rotate troops to a total of nine bases throughout the Philippines. Three bases are on the main island of Luzon and one in Palawan province in the South China Sea.

Photos (just illustrative) by Tech. Sgt. Kristin S. High (USAF) and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC)