A brief update on the #Philippines: we'll be getting *both* #JAS39Gripen (s) & #F16 (s). ----- Because of #Beijing’s massive defence build-up in the region, #SoutheastAsia air forces are ordering new equipment and eyeing more potent capabilities.
The Philippines is close to sealing a deal with Sweden to acquire a squadron of 12 multi-role fighters worth 61 billion pesos, a defense spokesman said on Friday.
Director Arsenio Andolong said both sides are expected to sign an agreement by next month in Sweden. #JAS39Gripen
A second reliable source cites the same number of MRFs to be purchased and the same two primary candidates - Sweden's #Jas39Gripen & the US #F16. This is the first one that mentions #India's #HALTejas which is technically a Light Combat Aircraft or #LCA (like our FA-50), it's not an #MRF.
The news is supposed to be officially announced soon.
I stumbled upon the Reddit discussion below & translated the quoted Swedish article on the SEK 11.74B (krona)/ USD 1.13B/PHP 63B (peso) recent arms sale to a "secret country".
To wrap this #Brahmos minithread up, the sole reason why the #Philippines is even considering acquiring the #HalTejas is that the Brahmos-NG (New Generation) is coming soon. Among the improvements is a substantial decrease in weight which enables a light combat aircraft (#LCA) like the #Tejas to carry two of them.
The #US, #Sweden and #SouthKorea don't have operational supersonic cruise missiles so the #F16/ #Gripen/ #FA50 can't give us that capability.
