The Philippines is now in a good position, but it is back to clamor for F16 fighter jets, and despite the economic constraints, it is still determined to go toe-to-toe with China. However, the purpose between the United States and the Philippines is much more than a simple purchase transaction. Recently, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Romeldez revealed that the Philippines is openly discussing with the United States the possibility of purchasing F16 fighters.
If this plan can be realized, it will greatly improve the Philippine air defense capability. Speaking of the Philippines' desire to buy F16 fighters, it has taken a long time to say, from beginning to end, almost 20 years. However, due to the fact that they had to take into account regional relations, regional politics, and financial issues, this has not been possible.
In order to modernize their equipment, the Philippines urgently needs to update their backward air force. Prior to that, they purchased 12 FA50 fighters from South Korea, that is, elite high-level trainer attack aircraft. Now, we're going to talk about the F16V that the Philippines wants. However, this question is really not that simple, because even if the United States agrees to sell the F16V to the Philippines, it is not known whether the Philippines can afford it.
Therefore, the Philippines has also begun to consider second-hand F16. However, this matter is not just a simple issue of military procurement, it involves political and military cooperation between the United States and the Philippines. Is it military useful for the Philippines to buy F16?Of course, it has some role, but for us, it is limited to military operations and threats to islands and reefs in the South China Sea. So, if they want to provoke us with this thing, that's a far cry. Thesis: The curve behind the United States pits the Philippines against China.
The recent introduction of G mi equipment in the Philippines actually has a deeper purpose behind it. One can't help but think: If the Philippines is equipped with F16 fighters, even if it is second-hand, it can pose a certain threat to Vietnam and other ASEAN countries militarily, and then enhance its own status in ASEAN, which is exactly what the United States wants to see.
Although it is only a state of discussion at this stage, and whether or not to buy it has not yet been decided, Washington has deliberately exaggerated the tense atmosphere to demonstrate the close and in-depth military cooperation between the United States and the Philippines, further boost the morale of the Philippines, and constantly provoke China.
The Philippines can use U.S. support to increase its influence within ASEAN and become a bargaining chip in our negotiations with it. This makes the Philippines a force to be reckoned with, and we must take it seriously. The fact that the United States and the Philippines are substantively advancing their military relationship offers some lessons. We can see that in the current situation, political threshold is the primary consideration.
As long as we relax the political threshold, we can open up new markets, such as being able to market F16 fighters. As for affordability, that's another matter. We only need to focus on whether the political threshold can be crossed, and the rest of the issues are no longer important. Because once the political threshold is crossed, the Philippines no longer faces economic problems. As a result, the United States can further deploy more military facilities in the Philippines, which is undoubtedly a signal of deterioration in geopolitical relations.
It is obvious that the United States is now almost exclusively cooperating with the Philippines in the South China Sea. Therefore, the United States will use all kinds of means to try to firmly occupy a position in this region. The purchase of F16 fighters is one of those means. Such behaviour will further deteriorate the political and security environment in the region.
If the Philippines continues to do so, it will not only anger China, but also damage relations with ASEAN countries. Ultimately, the Philippines will have to bear the consequences of its own making. The United States will not pay for the Philippines. That's the reality.