Philippines to double main elements of its Combat Air Fleet
January 26, 2025
There is significant and growing tension between China and several of its neighbours, since China’s maritime claims are based on a so-called ‘nine dash line’ that takes in waters that are part of the exclusive economic zones of Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The West Philippine Sea (Filipino: Kanlurang Dagat ng Pilipinas or Karagatang Kanlurang Pilipinas) is the official designation used by the government of the Philippines for those parts of the South China Sea that are included within its the country’s exclusive economic zone.
In July 2016, an arbitral tribunal organized under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) concluded that certain maritime feature lay within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, and that China had not exercised exclusive and continuous control over the area, effectively ruling the Chinese claim invalid.
The Spratley Islands, Scarborough Reef (seized by China in 2012) and Truro Shoal are particular points of conflict for the Philippines, and Chinese vessels have harassed and intimidated Philippino fishing boats, naval ships and survey vessels.
In August 2024, it was announced that the Philippines wanted to upgrade its military capabilities by acquiring advanced fighter jets and mid-range missiles at an estimated cost of at least US $33 billion (1.894 trillion pesos). The project could include buying 40 fast jets in order to modernise its air defences in the face of growing regional tensions. Armed forces chief Romeo Brawner had previously said the Philippines needed “faster and more lethal” multi-role jet fighters in addition to its South Korean FA-50s.
At that point, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said that a number of countries had submitted tenders but did not name them, nor the aircraft types it was examining, saying that: “The bidding is a secret process right now, but we are continuing to review tenders that are acceptable.”
By January 2025, much smaller sums were being talked about, and interest seemed to have closed in on a US $683.7 million (40-billion pesos) deal for 12 additional KAI FA-50PH Fighting Eagle supersonic combat aircraft, doubling the existing FA-50 fleet.
The FA-50PH is the most advanced fighter in the Philippine Air Force inventory. Some 12 of the aircraft were delivered to Clark Air Base between 28 November 2015 and 31 May 2017, at a cost of US $402 million. The aircraft were assigned to the 7 Tactical Fighter Squadron, part of 5 Fighter Wing at Basa (Papanga), and undertook “patrol missions across the country,” and were reportedly “game changers” in the five-month Siege of Marawi against ISIS and linked extremist groups.
The exact configuration of the new aircraft is unknown, but there has been speculation that they may be fitted with Raytheon’s PhantomStrike GaN (Gallium Nitride) AESA radar.
Alongside the additional FA-50s, Manila is expected to invest some US $17.1 million (1 billion pesos) to procure Bell 412 EPX helicopters for the Philippine Army, and US $111.1 million (6.5-billion pesos) contract for six A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, doubling the Philippine Air Force’s fleet. Embraer announced in December 2024 that an undisclosed customer was acquiring six A-29 Super Tucanos, with deliveries expected in 2026. It is unclear whether they were referring to the procurement announced by the Philippine Air Force.
The original six Super Tucanos were delivered from September 2020, as part of the PAF’s Horizon 1 modernisation programme, and equip 16 Attack Squadron, part of 15 Strike Wing at Danielo Atienza Air Base at Cavite.
In addition to the new FA-50s, A-29s and Bell 412s, the Philippines is working on modernization projects relating to the military’s cyber infrastructure and ground-based air defence system.
