Philippines still looking for Ways to finance F-16s, Mobile, Land-based Missile Systems Prioritized

Philippines still looking for Ways to finance F-16s, but Mobile, Land-based Missile Systems are being Prioritized

The Philippines' Ambassador to the United States (US), Jose Manuel Romualdez said that the Philippine Government is still looking for a way to finance the acquisition of F-16C Fighting Falcon Fighter Aircraft, but are prioritizing Land Based Weapons that are more affordable.

Quoting Romualdez himself: "We're really looking at other Items that are, in View of our National Defense Strategy, more important than the F-16s. The F-16 will continue to be Part of the Overall Plan, perhaps, in the Future. But as of now, as I said, our Priority is more on Land-based Type of Defense Capabilities."

“As I said the F-16, it's an Aspiration that we've had for many, many Years. There are other Offers from other Countries like the Gripen, which is actually made in Sweden. But there’s a Question of Affordability.”

You can access the Article itself at the Website of the “GMA News” News Publication here: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/947619/ambassador-babe-romualdez-f-16-on-philippines-wishlist-land-based-weapons-a-priority/story/

MY THOUGHTS:
Well it is good to see our Government sometimes show some Common Sense, I for one fully support the acquisition of Mobile, Land-based Surface to Air and other Missile Systems first, and I think the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will greatly benefit from it.

Because for one, no Aircraft or Vessel need to be risked along with their Crews to defend against Aircraft, or to attack Naval Vessels or Land Targets. Another is that Mobile Land Missiles are a lot more survivable, they are not tied to vulnerable Runways like Aircraft, for Example, and are difficult to find.

They are also a lot more affordable. F-16s and other Fighter Aircraft are a lot more Glamorous, but Mobile Land Missile Systems are more Practical and Affordable. The only Issue I see here is that with this Government’s insistence of tying Political Strings to Military Purchases as I had discussed before, then we may end up buying more expensive Military Assets from the US, Europe and Japan.

It is likely that Israeli Assets are now out for the rest of this Administration. Not sure if other Defense Exporting Countries like Turkey will support our Claimed Territories in the South China Sea (SCS) also. I think we will likely buy more from the US, what with the current US President Donald Trump keep demanding other Countries to buy more from them.

The US-made Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) are likely high on the Philippines’ List, those have been discussed extensively for some time now.

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