The United States State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of the Philippines of F-16 Aircraft for an estimated cost of US $5.58 billion (approx. AU $9.23 billion). The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.
The Philippines has requested to buy 16 F-16 C Block 70/72 aircraft along with other equipment, non-MDE items and other related elements of logistics and program support.
The proposed FMS, the DSCA says, will enhance the Philippine Air Force’s ability to conduct maritime domain awareness and close air support missions and enhance its suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) and aerial interdiction capabilities. This sale will also increase the ability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to protect vital interests and territory, as well as expand interoperability with the US forces.
The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin, located in Greenville, South Carolina, US.