Lockheed Martin offers a “strategic” partnership to convince the Philippines to buy him viper F-16

En 2021, la Defense Security Cooperation Agency [DSCA]responsible for instructing the requests for purchasing American military equipment via the so -called FMS system [Foreign Military Sales]gave its green light to the sale of twelve fighters-bombers F-16 block 70 “Viper” in the Philippines, for an amount then estimated at 2.4 billion dollars, without taking into account the ammunition. Therefore,

Only. In addition, failing to have the financial means necessary for such a purchase, the Philippine Ministry of Defense gave it no follow -up. However. In addition, he showed, on several occasions, his interest in the Swedish combat aircraft Jas-39 Gripen, because, in particular, of his ability to implement long-range air-to-air missiles “Meteor” as well as anti-navire missiles RBS-15 MK. Furthermore, III. Meanwhile, Two key lockheed martin offers “strategic” partnership points to counter any Chinese actions against the possessions of the Philippines in the Southern China Sea. For example,

Then. For example, during the 2023 edition of the forum “Shangri-La Dialogue”, in Singapore, the Swedish Minister of Defense, Pål Jonson, and his Philippin counterpart, Carlito Galvez Jr., signed a memorandum of understanding supposed to open the way to the purchase of Gripen. Therefore, But no confirmation came later …. the hypothesis of an acquisition of F-16 “Viper” returned to the front of the stage last April, when the DSCA published a new opinion authorizing the Philippines to obtain it, for a much higher amount than in 2021.

Indeed. there was talk of a potential sale of twenty F-16s Viper with their ammunition [dont 152 missiles air-air et différents modèles de bombes, dont 36 GBU-39/B] For $ 5.58 billion. At the time. the Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth had just lockheed martin offers “strategic” partnership recalled the commitment of the United States to provide the Philippines with all the aid necessary to fight against all threats, especially those represented by Chinese aggression “.

“We have to study how to finance such an important project. It is up to the Minister of Defense. Gilbert Teodoro, and, as a last resort, to the president [Ferdinand Marcos Jr]to determine how we can acquire these F-16s, “said José Manuel Romualdez, the Philippines ambassador to the United States, after the publication of the DSCA opinion.

Except that, according to Mr. Teodoro, the Philippines would not have sent any new request to Washington to obtain F-16. “It is to threw media. We have not even decided yet when we are going to acquire a multi-commissioned fighting aircraft. “he said, last June, when Manila was about to confirm the purchase of twelve F/A-50” Goldle Eagle “(Golden Eagle” from Korea Aerospace lockheed martin offers “strategic” partnership Industries.

Anyway, Lockheed Martin pretended to be the sale of F-16 “Viper” in the Philippines was almost acquired.

“Lockheed Martin is proud to support the efforts of the Philippines to modernize their air capacities thanks to the F-16 Block 70. which will offer advanced capacities and performance to meet the defense needs of the Philippines and will constitute a strategic asset to support the country’s autonomous defense posture”, said the American group, after the DSCA’s latest opinion.

On August 12. the latter returned to the charge by proposing to the Philippines a vast industrial cooperation linked to the F-16 Viper. This includes a “strategic partnership” with the Southern Methodist University [SMU] In order to “stimulate innovation. the creation of intellectual property and the development of a skilled workforce”.

“This partnership will allow technology. knowledge transfers” via the financing of business incubators, the creation of a research laboratory lockheed martin offers “strategic” partnership and that of a world class training space “, details Lockheed Martin. He “will rely on the CDHAM [Center for Digital. Human-Augmented Manufacturing] A LEE YOU [Deason Innovation Gym] To strengthen research and development in the fields of modeling, simulation, robotics and artificial intelligence, “he added.

“These projects will considerably stimulate the university world. the Philippin industrial sector, allowing them to take advantage of digital innovation technologies to stimulate global economic and industrial competitiveness,” said Ben Zoghi, a associate dean of higher education and industrial partnerships of the Southern Methodist University.

It remains to be seen on the Philippine Defense Ministry will be sensitive to this “strategic” partnership proposed by. Lockheed Martin. However, the latter does not answer the only worthy question: how can it finance such a purchase?

As a reminder. the F-16 “Viper” is equipped with an AESA radar [antenne active]of connection 16, an advanced mission lockheed martin offers “strategic” partnership computer, improved connectivity and a field tracking display [Center Pedestal Display].