U.S. approves $5.58 billion fighter jet sale to Philippines

This picture offered by the Bulgarian Authorities reveals the primary of 16 new F-16 fighter jets from the US arriving in Bulgaria at Graf Ignatievo airbase Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
| Photograph Credit score: AP

The US stated Tuesday (April 1, 2025) it has permitted the potential sale of $5.58 billion in F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, as Washington backs its ally in rising tensions over China.

The State Division stated it was green-lighting a sale that features 20 F-16 jets and associated tools to the Philippines, a treaty-bound ally of america.

The sale would “enhance the safety of a strategic accomplice that continues to be an essential power for political stability, peace and financial progress in Southeast Asia,” a State Division assertion stated.

It will additionally enhance “the Philippine Air Power’s means to conduct maritime area consciousness” and “improve its suppression of enemy air defenses,” the assertion stated.

The information follows months of accelerating confrontations between the Philippines and China within the South China Sea, which Beijing claims nearly in its entirety regardless of a world ruling that its assertion has no advantage.

A State Division spokesperson stated Wednesday (April 2, 2025) that the deal can be last solely after “a signed Letter of Provide and Acceptance” was acquired from the “buying accomplice”.

Philippine protection division spokesman Arsenio Andolong advised AFP he had “not acquired any official discover of such a call.”

However China warned Manila towards the acquisition, saying the Philippines was “threatening” regional peace.

“The Philippines’ protection and safety cooperation with different nations mustn’t goal any third get together or hurt the pursuits of a 3rd get together. Nor ought to it threaten regional peace and safety or exacerbate regional tensions,” overseas ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated.

Manila and Washington have deepened their protection cooperation since President Ferdinand Marcos took workplace in 2022 and commenced pushing again on Beijing’s sweeping South China Sea claims.

In December, the Philippines angered China when it stated it deliberate to amass the US mid-range Typhon missile system in a push to safe its maritime pursuits.

Beijing warned such a purchase order might spark a regional “arms race”.

‘Inevitably’ concerned

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has sought to redirect US army efforts to Asia to face a rising China, particularly as tensions rise over Taiwan, and to reduce involvement in Europe regardless of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

On Tuesday (April 1, 2025), as Chinese language ships and warplanes surrounded Taiwan in a simulated blockade, Philippines army chief Common Romeo Brawner stated his nation would “inevitably” be concerned ought to the self-ruled island be invaded.

“Begin planning for actions in case there’s an invasion of Taiwan,” he advised troops in northern Luzon island, with out naming the potential invader.

“As a result of if one thing occurs to Taiwan, inevitably we shall be concerned.”

He additionally stated that the majority of this month’s joint army workout routines can be performed in northern Luzon, the a part of the Philippines nearest Taiwan.

“These are the areas the place we understand the potential of an assault. I don’t wish to sound alarmist, however we’ve to arrange,” he added.

Requested about Brawner’s feedback, Beijing overseas ministry spokesman Guo stated resolving “the Taiwan challenge is a matter for the Chinese language individuals.”

“We advise sure people within the Philippines to not play with fireplace or make provocations on the Taiwan challenge — those that play with fireplace will solely get burned,” he stated.

On a go to to Manila final week, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to “reestablish deterrence within the Indo-Pacific area” in mild of “threats from the Communist Chinese language.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has additionally reiterated US protection commitments to the Philippines, a distinction to the Trump administration’s frequent speak of “freeloading” off america by allies in Europe.