Philippines approved for potential $5.5 billion F-16 aircraft purchase
The F-16 flying at Bahrain Air Show. (Photo: USAF)
The potential sale, approved by the US to the Philippines, is for 20 F-16 Block 70/72 jets, days after US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth visited the country.
The US has approved a potential foreign military sale to the Philippines for 20 F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft at a cost of US$5.58 billion.
The Philippines has asked to buy 16 one-seater F-16C Block 70/72 aircraft and 4 two-seater F-16D aircraft.
This order for aircraft is coupled with requests for other equipment, including 40 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles. The AN/ALQ-254 Viper Shield (VS) electronic warfare (EW) system – or “equivalent systems” – will also be included in the sale.
According to the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the F-16 aircraft would “enhance the Philippine Air Force’s ability to conduct
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![September crewed air review: established platforms retain their grip on the market]()
September crewed air review: established platforms retain their grip on the market
With many next-generation capabilities still years from operational readiness, several of the month’s largest developments demonstrated that governments remain willing to invest heavily in aircraft with proven capabilities and established support networks.
-
![Will the US Navy F/A-XX and the USAF F-47 compete for production capacities?]()
Will the US Navy F/A-XX and the USAF F-47 compete for production capacities?
The two sixth-generation fighter programmes could battle for engineering talent and production lines before deliveries begin, testing Boeing’s industrial expansion plans.
-
![September drone digest: attrition-tolerant aircraft pitched to replace the Reaper]()
September drone digest: attrition-tolerant aircraft pitched to replace the Reaper
The loss of many MQ-9 Reapers during the 2026 Iran War has underscored the risks of sending relatively expensive UAVs into contested airspace. In September, new contenders to replace the Reaper emerged, championing cheaper, modular aircraft designs for mass production and inevitable attrition.
