Philippine Air Force (PAF) chief Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas said the service’s multi-role fighter (MRF) project has been approved by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte and expressed hope the procurement contract for at least 12 planes will be signed this year or next year.
“Ang MRF acquisition natin ay na-approve na ng ating Presidente subalit ang pagpili kung anu mismo ang model, type ay nasa pipeline pa kasi madaming pong proponents na nag-ooffer sa atin subalit dadaan po ito sa matinding screening process. So sa ngayon iyong na lang po ang pagkukulang (Our MRF acquisition project has already been approved by the President but the selection process for the particular fighter model or type are still in the pipeline as a lot of proponents are offering us their products, all of these will have to undergo a strict screening process. For now, that is the only thing lacking),” he said in a media interview.
Gen. Canlas added that the contract for the MRF project may be signed this year.
He said the United States is interested in supplying Lockheed Martin’s latest F-16 MRF while Sweden is offering its Saab JAS 39 “Gripen” MRF aircraft.
“The choice is between the (US) F-16s and the Gripen of Sweden. Pero may mga gusto pa pong sumali subalit wala pa silang proposal (There are other nations interested to join but they are still submit or forward their proposal). So ngayon, dalawa pa lang (For now, we only have two proposals),” he added.
Canlas said the PAF’s requirement for its MRF project stipulates that the offered aircraft must be “fourth generation or higher”.
The project also requires 12 MRFs at least capable of patrolling the country’s protected waters and airspace.
Once these MRFs are acquired, the PAF, with the help of these radar systems, can be deployed to determine whether the aircraft flying over the country’s airspace is friendly or hostile.
Image Source: Martin Djupenström Defense studies
Additional News: Defense Studies, Max Defense, Business Insight
