The rhk111 Military and Arms Page: Lockheed actively promoting their F-16 in Philippines, which may get funding from the US in 2025

The Reuters News Organization recently quoted an Anonymous Philippine Diplomatic Source saying that the Philippines expressed interest in acquiring F-16 Fighter Aircraft from the United States (US) during the visit of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and US State Secretary Anthony Blinken to the Philippines recently, and that funding for it could be provided by the US starting next Year of 2025.

Strangely, this Report was also echoed and with even more specific Details by the Chinese Publication, "Global Times", which I think maybe based on Intelligence Reports that China got about the visit of the US Officials and the Aircraft.

The Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMC) has been busy promoting their F-16 in the Philippines recently under the more "US-friendly" Administration of current President Bong Bong Marcos (PBBM), seemingly for me a lot more than they did compared to the time of former President Rodrigo Duterte who had openly opposed the F-16 during his time.

Remember that back in 2018, Duterte had said in Public that the F-16 was “Utterly Useless”. At any rate, LMC has been doing a number of Promotional Events for their Aircraft, starting with their Participation in the Symposium of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City in June of this Year of 2024. They accompanied this with several Posts on their Official Facebook Page highlighting their offer of their F-16V Block 70/72 to the Philippines.

Then the following Month, in July of 2024, at an Event celebrating the Relations between the US and the Philippines, they showcased their F-16V Demonstrator for People to try out. They even handed out Souvenirs, like Keychains designed like Aircraft Safety Tags, with the Philippine Roundel and “Remove Before Flight” Warning on one Side, and the “F16” Designation and an Image of the F-16V on the other.

Here are more Videos and Photos of the F-16V Demonstrator in Action:

SOURCES:

* Philippines, US Navies hold Joint Exercise in South China Sea {Archived Link}

* Philippines eyes F-16 Deal after Joint Drill with US in South China Sea {Archived Link}

* Philippine President says buying US F-16 Jets ‘Utterly Useless’ {Archived Link}

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