The Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Saga of the Philippines, Part Two



July 1, 2025: Philippine Government unintentionally gives more Hints of getting Gripens after admitting it is seeking Loans from Sweden
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro recently gave an Interview to the Press and talked about the Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Program of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and here are the Highlights of that Interview: 

* He said that they are ready to make a Decision on the MRF, but are still discussing how to fund it.

* The Department of Finance (DOF) has agreed to use a "Creative" Financing Program to fund the acquisition.  

* They are planning to fund the Aircraft acquisition thru a Loan which will be paid by the Government annually. 

* A Special Purpose Fund or Revenue from Exploration Activities might be used to sustain the Payments. 

* The DOF is considering using the Export Credit System from Sweden to acquire the Aircraft. 

Here are some direct Quotes from Secretary Teodoro during the Interview: "If it was up to me, I’m ready to make a Decision. But the Source of Funding, that’s what we’re discussing right now. This will be paid by the Government annually, the Government needs to allocate a Consistent Source of Repayment."


MY THOUGHTS:
Although Teodoro still didn’t say which MRF they are getting, it seems he has unintentionally admitted that they are planning to get the JAS-39 Gripen Aircraft for the PAF’s MRF Program when he revealed that the Government is seeking Loans from Sweden as the Aircraft is made there. 

So this is just another strong Hint that the Philippine Government intends to sign the Contract to get the Gripens once it irons out the Issues about financing it. However, nothing is more or less Final until a Contract is signed, but as of now, the Gripen is heavily favored to be the PAF’s MRF. 

June 29, 2025: Getting the F-2 Viper Zero will also give the Philippines access to Japan’s new ASM-3A Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile
One Thing about Japan’s F-2 Viper Zero Multi-Role Aircraft is that it has pretty nice Weapons, I already discussed in a previous Post about its AAM-4 Medium Range Air to Air Missile which is one of the few Missiles in the World in Service right now equipped with a stealthy Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar which is similar to what the Chinese PL-15 Missile is using. 

Another nice Weapon that the F-2 has is the new ASM-3A Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile which is set to go into Service at the end of this Year of 2025, and its main Platform will be of course, the F-2. The ASM-3A will be one of the few Supersonic Cruise Missiles that are being produced in the West and its Allies. 

It has a speed of Mach 3, and has a range of between 300 to 400 km. This is very similar to the BrahMos-Next Generation (NG) Missile that India was heavily promoting to the Philippines, except that the ASM-3A is much further along in Terms of its Development than the BrahMos-NG. 

The ASM-3A is about to enter Service while the BrahMos-NG is just starting its Flight Testing and will likely enter Service in about a Year or so. The BrahMos-NG has a slightly longer Range than the ASM-3A as it can fly up to 450 km, but is a little bit slower at Mach 2.8. The ASM-3A though is lighter at 950 kg versus the 1,500 kg weight of the BrahMos-NG. 

The ASM-3A’s fast speed in Theory means it will have a better chance of beating Enemy Air Defenses, giving them less time to react to it. Its Primary Mission is for use against Ships, but it can also be used to hit Land Targets. 

Now whether we get the Viper Zero or not, I think we should also consider very much these excellent Japanese Weapons. Trust the Japanese to develop on their own also great Weapons ahead of its Allies in the West, the US or Europe up to now still does not have an Anti-Air Missile with AESA Radar or Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile like Japan does have now. 
SOURCES:

June 25, 2025: Philippine Air Force Chief seems to be hinting, or at least preferring the JAS-39 Gripen for their MRF Aircraft Acquisition
The Chief of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura told the Press recently that the Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Aircraft that they will choose must be able to Land and Operate on Short Runways. 

Directly quoting some of what he said, "The Specifications, I need not go to the Details but in Terms of our Selection for MRF, the CADC, our Defense Campaign Plan, our Concept for Defense entails Projection so we need to be able to exhibit credible defense in our EEZ".

He mentioned that having the Capability to land on Short or Small Runways allows quick response and flexibility in deploying these proposed MRFs, and that the MRFs "should cater to more Asymmetric Capabilities". 

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Philippine News Agency (PNA)” Website: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1252884

MY THOUGHTS:
From what I can tell, the PAF Chief seems to be hinting at getting, or at least preferring the JAS-39 Gripen Fighter Aircraft for their MRF. All of the important “Catch Phrases” related to the Marketing of the Gripen are there, like “Short Runway Capability” and “Asymmetric Capability”.

To be Fair, other Aircraft like the F-16C Fighting Falcon and F-2 Viper Zero are able to do these also, but not at the same Level as that of the Gripen since those Capabilities are deeply embedded into the Gripen’s Design. Now if they do go out and get the Gripen, I wonder how the United States (US) President Donald Trump will react?

He was clearly hinting for the Philippines to get their F-16C Aircraft, having it approved for Sale even if the Philippines didn’t ask them, reportedly. Trump could in response deny deployment of more of their Missiles here in the Philippines. 

I think that the Philippines might hope to calm Trump down if that happens by buying other US-made Weapons Systems like the Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC), the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and Others also.

June 24, 2025: Philippines also considering Japan’s F-2 Viper Zero Aircraft for its Multi-Role Fighter Acquisition
- Japan’s F-2 Viper Zero Aircraft is the latest Entry in the Philippines’ Multi-Role Fighter Competition
No less than the Chief of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura himself told the Press recently that they are also considering the F-2 Viper Zero Fighter Aircraft that is made by Japan. 

Quoting from him directly, "Mitsubishi Fighters (referring to the F-2), the Japanese made Multi-Role (Fighters) are very potential Platforms also".

MY THOUGHTS:
The F-2 Viper Zero is based on the F-16C Fighting Falcon Aircraft, but is made by Japan. Specifically, it was based on the proposed “Agile Falcon” Version of the F-16C which Japan then developed further and incorporated much of their own Equipment into.

An interesting Trivia is that it is reportedly unofficially nicknamed the “Viper Zero” because the “Viper” stands for the unofficial nickname of the F-16, and the “Zero” is for the legendary A6M Zero Aircraft that Japan made and used during World War Two (WW2). 

Production of the F-2 stopped around 2011 though, so the PAF might be considering getting secondhand Aircraft from the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF). However, the Manufacturer of the Aircraft, “Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)” might be considering opening up their Production Line again also to produce brand new Aircraft, especially now that Japan is slowly expanding their List of Military Equipment that they will allow for Export. 

Note that Lockheed Martin (LM) itself, the American Manufacturer of the F-16, is featuring the F-2 on their Website, so perhaps it is another Sign that they are willing to restart its Production Line in Japan. If so, MHI might revive the F-2 under its newer Version, the “Super Kai” which they showed in various Defense Exhibitions before.

The Super Kai is based on the F-16C Block 60 Version and will have Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFT), aside from other Improvements over the Viper Zero Version. But one Concern for me is that Japanese Equipment tends to be on the expensive Side due to their high Standard of living, so that might be an Issue. 

However, if they are willing to give us some good Deals so we can afford the Aircraft better, then why not. Another Point about the F-2 is that it will have the same Problems also as the F-16C when used for “Dispersed Operations” as that Philosophy is not as deeply embedded into its Design. 

The Thing to watch for me with the F-2 though is its AAM-4 Missile, which is one of the few Air to Air Missiles in the World right now that uses an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar. Putting an AESA Radar in a Missile gives it the Advantage of Stealth, as Radar Warning Receivers (RWR) will not be able to detect its Signal until it is too late, when it is already on its Way to hitting the Aircraft. 

Another Missile with a similar AESA Radar is China’s PL-15 Missile which reportedly proved itself recently by shooting down the French-made Rafale Aircraft that was being used by India. The AAM-4 though only has roughly the same Range as the “C” Version of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM). 

It doesn’t go as far as the “D” Version of the AMRAAM, but then again the United States (US) seems to be only willing to sell to the Philippines their AMRAAM C and not the AMRAAM D Version which they reserve only for themselves and their closest Allies.

Putting an AESA Radar on a Missile will also likely make it a bit more expensive than the usual. The F-2 is interesting, but personally I would still pick the newer JAS-39E/F Gripen over it because of the Gripen’s Advantage in Terms of “Dispersed Operations”. 
SOURCES:

June 10, 2025: Lockheed Martin signs Maintenance Agreement with Philippine Company, another Sign of possible F-16C acquisition by the Philippines
The United States (US) Company "Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMC)" just recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the development of the Repair Capability of the Philippine Company, "Ilocos-Negros Air Express Company (INAEC)".

On their Website, INAEC claims to be the first Philippine Airline, having been founded in 1932. As of now, INAEC is offering a wide range of Services to its Customers, which includes Aircraft Maintenance. 

MY THOUGHTS:
This to me is just one of the many Signs of an impending acquisition of the Philippines of the F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 70 Fighter Aircraft which is made by LMC. Remember that LMC promised to do the Component Level Maintenance of the Aircraft here in the Philippines if the F-16C is chosen, and now it looks like they have found their local Partner.

It makes me wonder why they would go through all that trouble in the first Place, Things like these are usually done only AFTER a Contract has been signed. Unless of course the Contract has been agreed at least verbally already. 

Another Sign is that LMC has been doing a lot of Public Relations (PR) Activities here in the Philippines for the last Month or so. I suspect that this is being done not necessarily just to convince the Government of the acquisition, but to condition the Minds of the Philippine Public of such an expensive acquisition, which is worth more than the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge. 

Also Gibo Teodoro has been extra brave against China lately, constantly challenging them verbally in Public. He wouldn’t be doing that unless the US backs us up, and so if the US insists on us buying the F-16C, then he would be in no Position to deny them that. 

I think that the way they will “sell” this acquisition to the Philippine Public is that it is Part of the Deal with the US to reduce Tariffs, remember that Donald Trump has imposed Tariffs on many Countries including our own, so they will just say that us buying these expensive Product means supposedly “helping” our Economy also.
SOURCES:

June 10, 2025: Lockheed Martin offering Joint Development with their Indago 4 Drone if Philippines gets their F-16C Fighting Falcon Aircraft
- Signs are that the F-16C Fighter Aircraft sale to the Philippines will push through, seems to be “written” in Destiny already, :D
The Inquirer reported recently that the United States (US) Company “Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMC)” is also offering, among other Things, the Joint Development of their “Indago 4 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)” if the Philippines gets their F-16C Fighting Falcon Aircraft for the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) Multi Role Fighter (MRF) Program. 

The Indago 4 is a small Reconnaissance and Surveillance Drone that weighs less than four kilograms, and whose main Equipment are swappable Day or Night Cameras. The Day Camera has a maximum zoom Capability of 30 times magnification while the Night Camera can magnify less at up to 16 times. 

The Drone has a maximum Flight Time per Battery of 50 to 70 minutes, has a maximum range of 10 km and can fly up to 40 kilometers per hour. 

MY THOUGHTS:
This is just a small, unarmed Drone, but since we are not mass producing any Military-grade Drone here in our Country then I think this will be a good addition to the Philippines’ Manufacturing Sector. However, frankly I think that this is still not enough of an incentive for getting those F-16s since they cost so much, remember as I posted before, it costs more than the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge. 

But any opposition to this sale of these F-16s might be useless as, based on some of LMC’s recent moves, and despite two high-ranking Officials of the Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) Administration denying that the Philippines has already selected it, it looks like its sale will, indeed, push thru. 

I plan to discuss more about this later on a separate Post, but like it or not, the Signs are there that the US will strong arm the sale of these Aircraft to the Philippines ...
SOURCES:

June 2, 2025: Defense Secretary Teodoro says F-16C Fighter Aircraft not formally offered yet to the Philippines, not sure if they will get it
Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro told the Press in Singapore recently that they haven't formally received an Offer for the sale of the F-16C Fighting Falcon Aircraft from the United States (US), and that even if they did, they are still not sure if they will get it. 

Quoting from him directly: "As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing on the Table for me to consider. We have not even decided, number one, when we will acquire a Multi-Role Fighter and what Model". He also dismissed the possible sale as just "Media Hype"". 


MY THOUGHTS:
If there is no formal offer or request from them for those F-16 Aircraft, then clearly by approving its sale, the Administration of Donald Trump is indirectly saying or implying to the Philippines that they want us to buy it. 

Probably in exchange for all the Troop and Missile deployment they have been doing in our Country which they see as a “Favor” to us, but actually benefit them more as it will help protect Taiwan which the US loves so much. 

I also found it amusing that Gibo is trying to act tough against the US when he is likely depending on them when he is acting tough against China. He is the second Philippine Government Official to put doubts on the acquisition of the F-16s though, the other one being Ambassador Jose Romualdez as I posted about recently. 

If they don’t really want the F-16s, I think they are hoping that acquiring other Weapons and Equipment from the US instead will keep the US “happy”. But if the US insists so and starts pressuring them, then I am not sure if they will be able to resist it since they are literally depending so much on them right now.

May 8, 2025: Lockheed Martin offers Conformal Fuel Tanks for more Range, and Maintenance Facility in F-16 Aircraft offer to the Philippines
Jess Koloini, the Director for Business Development Division of the Lockheed Martin Corporation, the Aircraft Manufacturing Company in the United States (US), was recently interviewed by the Flight Global Website to promote their F-16C/D Block 70 Fighting Falcon Fighter Aircraft to the Philippines. Here are the Highlights of that Interview: 

* The use of Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFT) are a Key Part of their Offer because it allows the Aircraft to have more Range and longer Combat Air Patrol (CAP) Missions. 

* They are also offering to put up a Facility that can do Maintenance of the Aircraft at "Component Level", meaning allowing the repair of Engines, Hydraulics, Avionics, Landing Gears, etc. in the Philippines.

* He said that the US Government could help the Philippines buy the Aircraft thru their Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Program, and the process could be made within this current Year of 2025.


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