Due to financial constraints, the Philippines is in a dilemma in fighter procurement. According to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported on the 27th, Korea Aerospace Industry Corporation (KAI), a major aircraft manufacturer in South Korea, said that it was negotiating with the Philippines on more fighter transactions.
At the 2025 Seoul International Aerospace and Military Industry Exhibition this month, the Korean Air Force demonstrated the KF-21 fighter aircraft developed by KAI's ability to operate over the active area. The KF-21 is a four-generation semi-fighter aircraft, first flying in 2022 and is expected to serve at the end of next year. In addition, the KAI also showcased its lightweight armed helicopters and FA-50 light fighter aircraft. The Philippine delegation attended the five-day exhibition.
KAI’s senior manager of international business development (Asia) Park Dixhi said the company values the Philippine Air Force very much.FlightGlobal, the world’s leading aviation data group, that the Philippines is currently weighing between the three Korean KF-21, the U.S. F-16 Block70/72 and the Swedish Eagle Lion E/F fighter jets.
KAI has always been a major supplier of aircraft to the Philippine Air Force. Since it began purchasing in Manila in 2014, the Philippine Air Force currently has a total of 12 FA-50 fighter jets in service. Earlier this year, the Philippines also signed an agreement to purchase 12 upgraded FA-50 fighter jets. Philippine Air Force spokesman Consuelo Castillo said,"Despite the purchase of 12 additional aircraft, we still need more fighter jets because the archipelago area we need to protect and monitor is very large."
Vincent Palada, a former Philippine Navy defense analyst, said that the weapons demand caused by the ongoing military modernization program in Southeast Asia has created opportunities for South Korea's export-oriented defense industry. Local procurement trends show that countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines have become major customers of Korean aviation and naval equipment. Palada said that the products of Korean defense manufacturers have a good cost performance, and South Korea is close to Southeast Asia, so the after-sales service can keep up.
In addition, the South China Morning Post mentioned that in March this year, the U.S. State Department approved the Philippines 'proposal to purchase 20 aircraftThe F-16 fighterBut last month, Manila said its plans to buy 20 F-16 fighters from the United States had been postponed due to funding issues.
The World Times special journalist.