PAF FA-50s to join Balikatan war games

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Air Force will put its supersonic capability to a test by deploying two newly acquired FA-50 “Fighting Eagles” to fly with US counterparts in this year’s US-Phl Balikatan exercises.

PAF spokesman Col. Enrico Canaya said this year’s joint air military drills would focus on air intercept, interdiction and close-air support.

The Philippines has procured a squadron of FA-50s from South Korea as it tries to regain its lost supersonic capabilities.

Among the American fighter planes scheduled to join Balikatan are the A-10 Thunderbolt ground attack aircraft with the leased Hawker Hunter jet fighters acting as aggressor aircraft. The sub-sonic Marchetti S-211 jet trainers will also be taking part in the air exercises phase.

Balikatan is a yearly Philippine-US military bilateral training exercise being carried out under the auspices of the Mutual Defense Treaty between the two allied states.

Its joint war games had a soft opening in Panay and Palawan islands the other day but will only be officially launched on April 4. All war training games will last until April 16. 

As a precaution, Canaya said participating Filipino and American pilots would undergo the required classroom training before the actual air exercises in undisclosed locations.

“Having the FA-50PH participate in the Balikatan air drill is a good opportunity as it will enhance the capability of Filipino fighter pilots. This will increase our training experience and is a good development on our side,” Canaya added.