Aquino: Government can now afford to buy new fighter jets

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino said yesterday that the government already has the financial capability to buy brand new fighter jets, not from the United States but from another source, to improve the country’s defense and military capabilities.

Aquino said the country has no fighter jets at present but only two trainers, and the last time the Philippine forces flew a fighter jet was in 2005, an F-5 fighter aircraft that was acquired in either the 1960s or 1950s and a surplus during the Korean war or early part of the Vietnam war.

“That was the latest at that time, F-5. The F-16 (jets) that we are inquiring from America are still being studied. But Indonesia has an experience (in buying) F-16 and it seems to be outdated already,” Aquino said in an interview over Bombo Radyo Philippines.

The President said there was a so-called life span for the airframe and the government might have to spend much on the maintenance when used for operational purposes and as trainer.

Aquino said if the F-16 fighter jets would run for 100 or so hours every year, they could be used for five years.

“If utilized to train pilots, we need 500 hours and that would reduce the life span to two years. We are going to spend at least $400 million or $800 million per squadron – and we are thinking of two. There is an alternative that we might acquire – this is a bit surprising – it seems we have the capacity to buy brand new, not from America,” he said.

The President admitted that these are not the latest but only lead-in jet trainers, which have the same airframe that can be converted to a fighter.

He said these are made by another progressive nation, which he did not mention, and the country could buy from Europe or other options but the Armed Forces of the Philippines was making sure which one would be most economical.

“We might spend more on brand new but the life span will be 20 years. If we buy the old one, you have two years. Cheaper for two years (life span) or a bit more expensive but for 20 years? So I think the suggestion is for us to acquire brand new (jets) and they are finishing (the study),” Aquino said.