New F-16 jets may arrive 2026
WARPLANES FOR AN ALLY A US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies over Aviano Air Base, Italy, in this file photo taken on Aug.9, 2015. The Philippine military plans to acquire 20 of such fighters as part of its modernization program. —File photo
MANILA, Philippines — The F-16 fighter jets that the Philippine government plans to procure from the United States may be available for delivery starting next year at the soonest if it decides to avail of the offer, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said on Sunday.
The US State Department last week approved the potential sale of 20 F-16C/D Block 70/72 fighters and munitions to the Philippines for an estimated cost of $5.58 billion (or around P320 billion), just several days after a visit by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
READ: Procurement of F-16 fighter jets for PH defensive posture – Bersamin
Romualdez said the offer came with a financing package that has yet to be discussed between the US and officials from the Department of National Defense and the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
The PAF is currently using 11 South Korean-built light combat aircraft after it retired its remaining fighters in 2005 because they were too costly to maintain.
