Block 70/72 F-16s approved for the Philippines
April 9, 2025
The government of the Philippines is determined to rebuild and modernise its armed forces in the face of the growing Chinese threat in the region. The Philippines has experienced intensifying Chinese aggression in the disputed South China Sea, the vast bulk of which which is claimed by China, in the face of conflicting claims by other nations. These have resulted in bitter confrontations between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces in the South China Sea.
The US has responded by Increasing military aid to the Philippines, and by reinforcing military ties, including a 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement which led to new basing agreements.
Air force modernisation is an urgent priority. After the Hukbong Himpapawid ng Pilipinas (PAF, Philippine Air Force) retired its last three Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighters on 1 October 2005, the nation began a ten year fast jet combat air capability gap. This was addressed on 28 November 2015, when the Philippines received the first two KAI FA-50s, of 12 ordered. Eleven of these remain in use. These are augmented by six Embraer A-29B Super Tucano light attack turboprop aircraft.
The US Congress first approved a US $2.4 Bn FMS transfer of 12 Block 70/72 F-16s (ten F-16Cs and two F-16Ds) to the Philippines in 2021. This exceeded the Philippines’ budget, and the sale did not proceed. This deal included the supply of 12 AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles.
In 2024, Gilberto Teodoro, the Philippine Secretary of National Defence outlined plans for a Horizon 3 plan, under which 40 new fighters would be acquired at a cost of US $33.6 billion over the next decade.
The Philippine government has now reportedly requested the sale of 16 single-seat Block 70/72 F-16Cs and four two-seat Block 70/72 F-16Ds. The contract, which includes spare engines, weaponry, training, and support, is valued at US $5.6 billion, and would revolutionise the operational capabilities of the Philippine Air Force.
The proposed initial weapons package would include up up to 112 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and 40 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder infrared-guided air-to-air missiles, as well as 36 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), 60 Mk 82 500-pound general-purpose bombs, 60 Mk 84 2,000-pound general-purpose bombs, 30 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) tail kits for the GBU-38 or GBU-54 Laser JDAM, and 30 kits for GBU-50 Enhanced Paveway II precision-guided bombs.
The F-16 would represent a huge leap in capability for the Philippines, introducing a beyond-visual-range missile capability, and new sensor and precision-guided weapons capabilities.
