June 16, 2024: Lockheed Martin promotes their F-16 Aircraft to the Philippines
Lockhed Martin (LM) recently made a Number of Posts about the Philippines, this seems to be Part of their Effort to promote their F-16C/V Fighting Falcon/Viper Aircraft to the Philippines as they were one of the Exhibitors at the recently concluded 2024 Philippine Air Force (PAF) Symposium at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.
I was able to go and visit the Symposium, but I arrived there a bit late already and wasn’t able to see much. I will still make a Video about it later though as I was able to take some Pictures also. I forgot to take a Picture of LM’s Banner there, but they were featuring four of their Products there which, of course, included their F-16 Fighter Aircraft.
SOURCES:
* Lockheed Martin Facebook Page Post, 06/12/24 - 2100H {Archived Link}
* Lockheed Martin Facebook Page Post, 06/14/24 - 2100H {Archived Link}
* Lockheed Martin Facebook Page Post, 06/14/24 - 1400H {Archived Link}
May 27, 2023: Philippines finally signs delayed Agreement for Gripens, but may get F-16s also
After a Delay of a couple of Months, the Philippines and Sweden has finally signed the Agreement that will pave the Way for the Philippines’ acquisition of the JAS-39 Gripen Aircraft. However, reports indicate that the Philippines might be acquiring the F-16 Fighting Falcon Aircraft as well
SOURCE: Philippines finally signs delayed Agreement for Gripens, but may get F-16s also {Archived Link}
A Delegation from South Korea (SK) that is attending the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2024 Event in Malaysia met with Philippine Officials there recently to officially start the Discussions for the possible Export of the KF-21 Boramae Fighter Aircraft to the Philippines.
This was announced by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the Agency within the Government of SK that is responsible for the development of Military Equipment. Aside from the Boramae, the possible Export of Submarines and additional FA-50 Aircraft was also discussed.
Here is the Link to the Article at the Defense Mirror Website: https://www.defensemirror.com/news/36773/South_Korea_Opens_Talks_to_Export_KF_21_Jets_to_the_Philippines
February 23, 2024: Hungary acquires an additional four Gripen C Aircraft
Hungary just signed a Contract to operate an additional four JAS-39C Gripen Fighter Aircraft from Saab AB for the Hungarian Air Force (HuAF). This will bring the total number of Gripens they will be operating to 18 Units.
Not much details have been released about this transaction though, like how much the cost will be, etc. However, these additional four Aircraft will likely be leased also just like the previous 14 Aircraft. The Philippines is reportedly close to acquiring the Gripen for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
Here is the Link to the Article at the Jane’s Website: https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/hungary-increases-gripen-fleet
January 24, 2024: Pro-US, Anti-China Sen. Ejercito endorses the US-made F-16 for the Philippines
Senator JV Ejercito recently posted on Social Media Pictures of him admiring a Scale Model of the F-16 Fighter Aircraft with the Caption, "Dreaming of an F-16 Fighting Falcon for our Philippine Air Force someday ... We will make it happen!!!"
It is natural for Sen. Ejercito to push for the F-16 since it is made in the United States (US) and he has been unashamedly and unapologetically Pro-US and Anti-China, in Fact I would’ve been surprised if he didn’t endorse it.
Normally I would’ve been against the F-16, but to their Credit, the US never refused to sell it to the Administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, and they even officially announced in Public their offer.
This is unlike what the Swedish Government did which has now become obvious where they denied the sale of their JAS-39 Gripen Aircraft to the Duterte Administration.
So now in a perfect Example of “Karma”, Sweden is now endlessly begging and kissing the Posteriors of the current Administration of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) to give them a Contract on what should otherwise have been a “Done Deal” already.
Here is the Link to the Post of the JV Ejercito Account on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jvejercito/p/C2ehONOLiJM
January 27, 2024: US approves sale of F-16s to Turkey only after they agreed to Conditions
As usual, with "Strings Attached", what else is new? The United States (US) only approved the sale of their F-16 Fighter Aircraft to Turkey after Turkey accepted Sweden's Membership into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
This is just an Example of how the US "weaponizes" the export of their Military Equipment by including Political and other Conditions with it. The F-16 Deal with Turkey is worth Usd 23 billion for 40 brand new Aircraft and the upgrade of the 79 Aircraft in their Inventory into the latest Standard.
Here is the Link to the Article at the France 24 Website: https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20240127-us-approves-sale-of-f-16-warplanes-to-turkey-after-ankara-ratified-sweden-s-nato-bid
SOURCE: US approves sale of F-16 Warplanes to Turkey after Ankara ratifies Sweden's NATO bid {Archived Link}
December 18, 2023: Defense Sec. Teodoro tells the Swedish Press that the Gripen’s chances of being acquired is “Very Good”
AND THE SAGA CONTINUES: Philippine Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro recently gave an Exclusive Interview to the Swedish News Organization Ekot and said that the chances of the JAS-39 Gripen Aircraft being acquired by the Philippines is “Very Good”.
He didn’t give any other Details though about the possile acquisition of the Aircraft. I am posting below the entire English Translation of the Article by Google since it is originally in Swedish:
******************************
“"Very Good Chances" for Jas Gripen in the Philippines
Published Monday 18 December at 05.50
The Philippines is currently in the process of equipping its Defense Forces and has deepened its defense cooperation with, among others, the United States, Australia and Sweden.
In June, the Philippines and Sweden concluded an Agreement on defense cooperation, among other Things to strengthen the Country's Defense Capabilities.
The Swedish Defense Group Saab hopes to be able to sell the Jas Gripen Combat Aircraft to the Philippines when the Country now equips itself.
In an Exclusive Interview with Ekot, the Philippine Defense Minister says that the Swedish Fighter Jet has very good chances.
- “The Decision on which Solution suits the Philippines best must be made as soon as possible,” says Philippine Defense Minister Gilbert Teodoro.
According to him, the Swedish Jas Gripen fighter has very good chances.
- “Swedish Equipment has a very good chance, I would say.”
As part of the modernization of the Philippine Armed Forces, the Air Force is to procure new Fighter Jets. Sweden's main Competitor is the American Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the F-16 Fighter Jet.
Mats Lundberg, who works with SAAB's Gripen Campaigns in the Philippines, says that the Gripen's Capabilities should suit the Philippines well.
- “The Gripen has an enormously good ability, not least for the type of Country that is very spread out, in a way similar to Sweden, with a lot of Coast and Islands,” he says.
In the past Year, the relationship between the Philippines and China has become increasingly tense. China claims large Parts of the South China Sea, and is increasingly engaged in confrontations with Philippine Ships. The Philippines has recently deepened its defense cooperation with Australia and the United States, and also signed an Agreement with Sweden on defense cooperation.
- “Sweden has a lot to offer. We know your Abilities, we are familiar with Sweden not only in Aviation, but also in other Technologies, Sweden has been a Country with a self-sufficient Defense Industry for a long time. There is much to collaborate with Sweden on in the Future,” says Philippine Defense Minister Gilbert Teodoro to Ekot.
Axel Kronholm, Manila
axel.kronholm@sverigesradio.se”
Here is the Article at the Sverige Radio (SR) Website: https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/goda-chanser-for-jas-gripen-i-filippinerna
December 8, 2023: Indian Press reports Philippines as one of the Countries interested in the Tejas LCA
The Indian Press has been reporting this past Week that the Philippines is reportedly one of three Countries along with Nigeria and Argentina as being interested in buying their Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
This Information was relayed to them by the Chairman and Managing Director of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), C.B. Ananthakrishnan during the Avionics Expo 2023 that was held in New Delhi, India recently.
No information though on which specific Models or the Quantities of the Tejas the Philippines was reportedly interested in.
Here is the Link to the Article at the Bharat Shakti Website: https://bharatshakti.in/avionics-expo-2023-hal-in-talks-with-philippines-egypt-nigeria-argentina-to-export-tejas-fighter-jets/
October 4, 2023: Philippines changes Specs and Quantities of its MRF Program as its Saga continues
The “Saga” of the Philippines’ Multi-Role Figther (MRF) Acquisition is not just continuing, but in fact is entering a new “Chapter” after the Department of National Defense (DND) said that they have revised its Specifications and Quantity.
The new Terms of Reference (TOR) reportedly became available just several Days ago, and will be discussed with other Defense and Military Officials before it will be submitted for Approval to the BBM. The DND though did not release publicly yet any Details of the new TOR of the MRF Program
September 8, 2023: And the PAF MRF Saga continues still as Swedish Ambassador discusses Gripen w/ AFP Chief
And the Saga of the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Acquisition Project continues still as Sweden’s Ambassador to the Philippines Annika Thunborg discussed her Country’s offer of the JAS-39 Gripen to the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Romeo Brawner Jr. during a Courtesy Call recently
SOURCE: Armed Forces of the Philippines Facebook Page Post, 09/08/23 - 1414H {Archived Link}
August 16, 2023: And the PAF’s MRF Saga continues as Sweden reiterates offer of Gripen to the Philippines
And the Saga for the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Acquisition Program continues as the Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Annika Thunborg again reiterated her Country’s offer of the Jas-39 Gripen Fighter Aircraft to the Philippines during her Courtesy Call to the new Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro.
Long time Followers of this Page knows that I actually sort of preferred the Gripen for the PAF … until it was revealed that they had DENIED the Sale of the Aircraft to the Administration of Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD).
Say what you want about the United States’ (US) F-16V Viper Aircraft that the PAF is also considering, but at least they didn’t deny it’s sale to FPRRD and even publicly announced its approval to this Administration back then.
July 21, 2023: PAF’s MRF Saga continues, Congress’ House and Ways Committee Chairman supports acquisition of F-16 Jets
And the Saga of the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) acquisition of Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Aircraft continues after the Congressman of Albay and Chairman of the House and Ways Committee of Congress, Representative Joey Salceda said that he supports the acquisition of the F-16V Viper Aircraft from the United States (US).
As per my previous Video, the US is reportedly offering to add another Squadron of the F-16 Aircraft if the Philippines buys it instead of the JAS-39C/D Gripen Aircraft which the PAF is also considering for its MRF Program
June 3, 2023: Philippines and Sweden finally signs Agreement on Defense Materiel Acqusition, could be closer to signing a Contract for the Gripens
The Philippines and Sweden recently finally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the acquisition of Defense Materiel, which makes it closer for both Countries to possibly sign a Contract for the acquisition of the JAS-39 Gripen Fighter Aircraft for the Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Aircraft Acquisition Program of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
In the last several Months, several Swedish Officials have been meeting with the Philippine Government discussing this particular MOU, and it seems they finally got their wish. Personally, I still haven’t forgiven Sweden for DENYING the sale of their Gripen Aircraft to the Administration of Rodrigo Duterte, and would be glad to see them humbled for doing that.
As I keep saying, at least the American NEVER forbade the sale of their F-16 to the Duterte Administration, never mind if I don’t like the United States (US) very much nowadays and that they seem to be offering only secondhand Aircraft. Anyway, again, for the nth time, I hope the PAF’s MRF finally signs a Contract soon
SOURCE: Department of National Defense – Philippines Facebook Page Post, 06/03/23 – 1726H {Archived Link}
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