Armed Forces to acquire 6 fighter jets by 2016
Saturday, July 02, 2011
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will acquire an initial six fighter jets between now and 2016, the end of the six-year term of President Benigno Aquino 3rd, in line with the defense realignment strategy of the military resulting from rising tensions in the disputed Spratly group of islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Friday disclosed the procurement or lease of the aircraft at the sidelines of the 64th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force, saying that the fighter jets were vital in protecting the country’s territorial air space.
“They are important. Fighter planes are important for interdiction….,” Gazmin said.
“Within the term of the (Aquino administration), we will have our own fighter jets,” he added.
Earlier, the AFP confirmed the May 11 intrusion of two foreign fighter jets into Philippine air space.
The jets were spotted by two Philippine OV-10 l planes on routine patrol over the potentially oil- and mineral-rich Spratlys.
For lack of equipment and capability, the AFP, however, failed to ascertain if the foreign planes were Chinese fighter jets as believed by some military and civilian authorities.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesman, Lt. Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol, also on Friday said that the planned acquisition of the six fighters jets was a “welcome development” as it would enable PAF to do its job better.
If the purchase materialized, Okol added, Air Force pilots would need specialized training before flying the fighter jets, which are high-performance aircrafts.
According to Okol, the acquisition of the fighter jets could be done either through procurement or lease as there are some countries that offer an option-to-lease arrangement.
A brand-new fighter jet, he said, is in the range of $23 to $40 million, while others, such as the F35, cost some $80 to $100 million each.
Meanwhile, Gazmin hailed a recent US Senate resolution criticizing China for using force in the West Philippine Sea.
“It’s good for us because it gives us an assurance, at least, that the US would help us if there was a conflict in the area,” he said.
But Gazmin stressed that there was no need for the US to magnify its presence in the disputed area.
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will acquire an initial six fighter jets between now and 2016, the end of the six-year term of President Benigno Aquino 3rd, in line with the defense realignment strategy of the military resulting from rising tensions in the disputed Spratly group of islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin on Friday disclosed the procurement or lease of the aircraft at the sidelines of the 64th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force, saying that the fighter jets were vital in protecting the country’s territorial air space.
“They are important. Fighter planes are important for interdiction….,” Gazmin said.
“Within the term of the (Aquino administration), we will have our own fighter jets,” he added.
Earlier, the AFP confirmed the May 11 intrusion of two foreign fighter jets into Philippine air space.
The jets were spotted by two Philippine OV-10 l planes on routine patrol over the potentially oil- and mineral-rich Spratlys.
For lack of equipment and capability, the AFP, however, failed to ascertain if the foreign planes were Chinese fighter jets as believed by some military and civilian authorities.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesman, Lt. Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol, also on Friday said that the planned acquisition of the six fighters jets was a “welcome development” as it would enable PAF to do its job better.
If the purchase materialized, Okol added, Air Force pilots would need specialized training before flying the fighter jets, which are high-performance aircrafts.
According to Okol, the acquisition of the fighter jets could be done either through procurement or lease as there are some countries that offer an option-to-lease arrangement.
A brand-new fighter jet, he said, is in the range of $23 to $40 million, while others, such as the F35, cost some $80 to $100 million each.
Meanwhile, Gazmin hailed a recent US Senate resolution criticizing China for using force in the West Philippine Sea.
“It’s good for us because it gives us an assurance, at least, that the US would help us if there was a conflict in the area,” he said.
But Gazmin stressed that there was no need for the US to magnify its presence in the disputed area.
Nguồn, The Manila Times,
http://www.manilatimes.net/news/topstories/armed-forces-to-acquire-6-fighter-jets-by-2016/
http://www.manilatimes.net/news/topstories/armed-forces-to-acquire-6-fighter-jets-by-2016/
