The US State Department has approved possible major arms sales to the Philippines amidst heightening tensions between Manila and Beijing and counterterrorism efforts in the country's south.
The potential sale, worth over US$2.5 billion, includes ten F-16C Block 70/72 aircraft, two F-16D Block 70/72 aircraft, AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Air Launched Block II missiles and AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles.
"The proposed sale will enhance the Philippines’ interoperability with the US and other allied nations, making it a more valuable partner in an increasingly important area of the world," the US State Department said. "It will improve the Philippines’ capability to meet current and future threats by enabling the Philippines to deploy fighter aircraft with precision munitions in support of counterterrorism operations in the southern Philippines, increasing effectiveness and minimizing collateral damage.
"It will [also] improve the Philippines’ capability to meet current and future threats by providing flexible solutions to augment existing surface and air defence.
"The Philippine Air Force is modernizing its fighter aircraft to better support its own maritime security needs. This capability will provide the Philippine Air Force the ability to employ a highly reliable and effective system to counter or deter maritime aggressions, coastal blockades, and amphibious assaults. The Philippines will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces."
The Philippines has recently stepped up patrols in the South China Sea amidst tensions with China over disputed features.