Revised Offer of F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 70/72 Aircraft to the Philippines approved by the US

Revised Offer of F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 70/72 Aircraft to the Philippines approved by the US Government

The United States (US) thru their Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Website has approved a new Offer for the Sale of 20 F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 70/72 Fighter Aircraft to the Philippines with Spares, Weapons, Logistical Support and other related Equipment worth Usd 5.58 billion, or an average of around Usd 279 million per Aircraft.

The Sale will consist of sixteen single-seat F-16C Block 70/72 Aircraft and four twin-seat F-16D Block 70/72 Aircraft.

MY NOTES:
First of all, with only twelve AN/AAQ-22 Sniper Targeting Pods for 20 Aircraft, that means that not all Aircraft will have them, only slightly over half will be equipped with them. This seems to indicate that the Pods will be operated through a "Buddy System", meaning one Pod will be shared by two Aircraft.

As for the AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Air to Air Missiles, at only 40 for 20 Aircraft, that means each Aircraft can be allocated only two Sidewinders if evenly distributed. At 112 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missiles (AMRAAM) AIM-120C8 though, that means around five to six Missiles can be allocated evenly for the twenty Aircraft.

The US is only selling us the "C" Versions of their AMRAAMs, though, perhaps they don't trust us as much as an "Ally" to sell us their latest "D" Version of the Missile. No other Missiles are included in the Package, but there are a lot of Guided Bombs, there are several dozen of them, and at least two Types. Lots of unguided Bombs, over a hundred for two Types

Remember that back in 2021, during the Administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the US also made an offer of the same Aircraft. Compared to that, this one is more than twice as expensive, but only less than twice the Aircraft.

However, there are almost five times more AMRAAM Missiles, and around twenty times more unguided Bombs, which is the Reason for the big increase in Price of the Aircraft. Anyway, it remains to be seen if the Philippines will, indeed sign the Contract for this Aircraft

SOURCES:
* Philippines – F-16 Aircraft, DSCA Website {Archived Link}
https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/philippines-f-16-aircraft
https://archive.is/iv24x
* More details on the US’ possible sale of F-16 Aircraft, Harpoon Missiles and AIM-9X Missiles to the Philippines {Archived Link}
https://therhk111philippinedefenseupdates.blogspot.com/2021/06/more-details-us-possible-sale-f-16-aircraft-harpoon-missiles-aim-9x-missiles-philippines.html
https://archive.is/5WYaU

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