The Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s is on the process of preparing to get another squadron of multi-role fighter (MRF) jets under the second horizon, amounting to P289 billion pesos for the year 2018-2022 of Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.
The procurement plan was revealed after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the Horizon 2 of the AFP Modernization Program last month.
Sources from the military said that they are looking to procure at least 12 MRF to beef up the air assets of the Philippine Air Force.
“Tig anim bawat squadron. Tapos tig anim bawat group, Tapos isang squadron, dose, so pwede na tayong kumuha ng isang squadron (There is six each per squadron. Then there is six per group, a squadron has 12, so we can get one squadron),” the source said.
However, the source noted that there was also no mention of what specific type of multi-role aircraft would be acquired, “Walang pang specific type ng MRF. Inapprove yung program, yung pamimili ng platform dadaan yan sa proseso.”
But an advanced information obtained said the PAF is heavily inclined to acquire either the European-made MRF, the Eurofighter Typhoon or the Swedish made MRF, the Saab JAS 39 Gripen.
All now depends on how fast our senior leadership can act on this MRF acquisition project as its already approved by the President. For now, we just wait and see the progress. – JCE
