Philippines wants F-16's

[Dawes]

Any chance of this going all the way through to delivery?

https://www.dsca.mil/sites/default/files/mas/Press Release - Philippines 25-11 CN.pdf

[TrustMe]

Didn't they buy Korean just a few years ago?

[Sherman]

3 hours ago, Dawes said:

Any chance of this going all the way through to delivery?

https://www.dsca.mil/sites/default/files/mas/Press Release - Philippines 25-11 CN.pdf

Doubtful, unless they are financed in large part. The AESA is not standard on the C/D Block so these would be upgraded, but maybe not up to V Standard? The lead time would be at least few years unless they are put at the front of the queue.

2 hours ago, TrustMe said:

Didn't they buy Korean just a few years ago?

They did, FA-50 Block 10. I thought they were looking for additional FA-50 in Block 20 with AESA and AIM 9X capability. Also the SKs are looking to integrate an air launched cruise missile which would increase the value of the aircraft significantly. Depending on the terms and price, they would be better off with SK aircraft for a number of reasons. However, an  F-16 order may be part of the price for U.S. "protection".

It will be interesting to see if there was a definitive determination of the cause of the crash last month of the Philippine FA-50.

[Dawes]

Isn't the USAF/ANG upgrading a number of their F-16's with the APG-83?

[Sherman]

They are, so would the Philippines have to wait until that process is finished, or would the U.S. put them toward the front of the line?

I believe the SKs are progressing with the Block 20s and might have a quicker turnaround. One major drawback with the FA-50 is lack of AIM-120 at this time, and there is no guarantee it will ever be integrated.

EDIT: Then I hear Egypt is in negotiations for 100 FA-50s so maybe not a quicker turnaround...

Edited April 2, 2025 by Sherman

[urbanoid]

They also are (were?) considering buying KF-21s.

[Sherman]

I think so, and SK would love to get an export customer, though how quickly they could fill an order is in question given their own internal requirements.

[urbanoid]

I wouldn't be surprised if quicker than LM with F-16s. It's really a low rate production.

Bulgaria ordered 8 F-16s in 2019 and another 8 in 2022. They just had the first one delivered in February.

[futon]

They expressed interest in the F-2. I don't think Japan would be able to let some go soon though. 

https://armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/philippine-air-force-considers-japanese-f-2-as-candidate-for-future-multi-role-fighter-acquisition

[Yama]

Well that's a weird one, a plane which has never been exported and has been out of production for long time. Unless Japan for some reason put out a great deal from surplus aircraft, I see that as totally pointless endeavour.

[urbanoid]

Yeah, maintenance would be a bitch. Better off with 'normal' used 16s.

[seahawk]

On 4/2/2025 at 2:49 PM, urbanoid said:

I wouldn't be surprised if quicker than LM with F-16s. It's really a low rate production.

Bulgaria ordered 8 F-16s in 2019 and another 8 in 2022. They just had the first one delivered in February.

Because LM moved the final assembly. Now they should be faster. 

[futon]

Well, the pluses for the F-2 are that sinse they would be handy downs, perhaps potentially very cheap, further more if in conjunction with OSD style defense equipment support, called OSA, that Japan has arranged with the Philippines. In the end, the 5 TC-90s were granted pretty much free of charge. 

F-2s parts supply should still be in good order just like F-15J parts supply is still strong. The F-2 fleet has been receiving upgrades so it's still a relevent fighter. Such as, while it was the first fighter to introduce AESA radar, they got upgraded versions of it. F-2 has good anti-ship capabilities as well if the Philippines wanted to acquire those weapons, like ASM-3. Air to air is much better than FA-50.

Japan plans on retiring them starting from around 2035, being replaced by F-3 Tempest, or potentially named "Reppu". Japan is a bit short on the fighter aircraft inventory so that's why I don't think Japan can spare them. Although, it could be a worthy opportunity to expand weapons export portfolio. 

A few weeks ago, there was an idea floated to increase the procurement of F-35s. That would be more than the current plan for 147. If so, and if F-35 deliveries could happen faster, then, it may be possible to let go of, say 12 F-2s, before 2030.

[Ol Paint]

Quote

https://gcaptain.com/japan-to-export-used-destroyers-to-philippines-to-deter-china/

Japan To Export Used Destroyers To Philippines To Deter China

Reuters

Total Views: 0

July 6, 2025

TOKYO, July 6 (Reuters) – Japan will export used navy destroyers to the Philippines to strengthen its deterrence against China’s maritime expansion, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Sunday, as the two U.S. allies increase cooperation to counter Beijing.

The export plan involves six Abukuma-class destroyer escorts in service with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for more than three decades, the Japanese daily said, citing multiple unnamed government sources.

Defense ministers Gen Nakatani and Gilberto Teodoro agreed to the destroyer export when they met in Singapore last month, the Yomiuri said, adding that the Philippine military will inspect the ships this summer as part of the final preparations.

Good.  It's lacking in the self-defense AAW arena, though, with just a CIWS and the 76mm.

Here's a picture of Ōyodo

 

Doug

Edited July 6, 2025 by Ol Paint

[urbanoid]

12 hours ago, Ol Paint said:

Good.  It's lacking in the self-defense AAW arena, though, with just a CIWS and the 76mm.

Here's a picture of Ōyodo

 

Doug

Oh, Yodo desu!

Ooyodo desu