Philippines signs deal to acquire 12 FA-50s from South Korea

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is acquiring 12 more FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea as part of a $700-million deal reportedly signed on Tuesday.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., who is in Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogue, has yet to confirm the deal meant to boost the capabilities of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

However, several foreign news outlets, including Yonhap News and Asian Defence Journal, said the acquisition agreement between the Philippines and South Korean defense firm Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. had already been signed.

The PAF currently has 11 FA-50 fighter jets acquired from the same defense company under an P18.9-billion contract. Originally 12, one of the aircraft crashed in Bukidnon in March this year.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. earlier revealed the military’s plans to acquire more missile systems, warships and multi-role fighter jets to boost the country’s defense capabilities.

Brawner, who is also in Singapore with Teodoro, revealed such plans at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, India last March.

“We are looking at acquiring more missile systems to complete the integration of our air and missile defense. Alongside this, we will be purchasing more warships and multi-role fighter jets to build a strong and reliable deterrent force,” he said.

The PAF also made a proposal to acquire 12 more FA-50 fighter aircraft two months ago under the Rehorizon 3 phase of the AFP Modernization Program.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it would be holding regular maritime domain awareness (MDA) patrols in Northern Luzon with the PAF.

In a statement, the PCG said PAF Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca, commander of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), visited the PCG headquarters in Port Area on June 3 and discussed with PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan the conduct of regular MDA within Northern Luzon.

The NOLCOM delegation also presented its concept of external security operations.

Also within NOLCOM’s jurisdiction, Philippine and United States Marines held littoral live fire exercise in the coastal areas and waters of Burgos, Ilocos Norte yesterday.

The joint military activity was part of the ongoing Kamandag 09-25 aimed at enhancing interoperability between the Philippine Marines and the US Marine Corps.

Last Sunday, both forces teamed up for simulated maritime interdiction exercises in Batanes in the deployment of US military’s anti-ship weapon, the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS).

The event was tied to a larger Maritime Key Terrain Security Operation, where US Marines with 3d LCT and Philippine Marines with Marine Battalion Landing Team 10 rehearsed securing and defending key maritime areas.

As part of the activity, US Marine personnel rapidly inserted the NMESIS into the Batanes Islands via KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352.

Once inserted, the MMSL Battery remotely operated the NMESIS from the airfield to a concealed position. – Evelyn Macairan