Lockheed Martin has intensified its campaign to secure one of the most consequential fighter aircraft deals in Philippine military history — the sale of the F-16 Block 70 “Viper” — with a proposal that goes far beyond traditional arms sales.
This isn’t just about supplying the Philippine Air Force (PAF) with jets. The defence giant is anchoring its offer on a sweeping industrial–academic partnership aimed at transforming the nation’s defence technology ecosystem, weaving together aerospace manufacturing, advanced research, workforce training, and economic growth.
The centrepiece is a proposed “strategic partnership” with Southern Methodist University (SMU) in the United States. This arrangement would bring together local industry, universities, and government agencies to raise the Philippines’ technological game in modelling and simulation, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and aerospace manufacturing.
Lockheed Martin promises to fund high-tech business incubators, build a state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) laboratory, and create training centres that could serve as the backbone of a self-reliant defence posture (SRDP) — a longstanding goal of the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND).
“We are committed to investing in the development of new capabilities and intellectual property in close collaboration with leading universities and companies in the Philippines,” said Jess Koloini, Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Business Development lead.
“This partnership will not only support the SRDP but also create a lasting impact on the Filipino workforce, driving economic growth and prosperity.”
The proposal arrives at a critical moment. Manila is urgently seeking to modernise its air combat capabilities amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where Chinese coast guard and maritime militia vessels have repeatedly confronted Philippine assets.
In April 2025, the U.S. State Department formally notified Congress of its intent to authorise the sale: 16 single-seat F-16C Block 70/72 fighters and four twin-seat F-16D variants, the most advanced Fighting Falcons currently in production.
The timing coincided with a high-profile visit by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who pledged to “restore deterrence in the Indo-Pacific” in the face of “the growing threat posed by Communist China.” The linkage between advanced fighter sales and capacity-building investments reflects a shift in U.S. defence export strategy — embedding weapons deals within broader economic and national development agendas to secure long-term alliances.
The proposed F-16 package is designed to provide the PAF with a turnkey multirole capability:
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Engines & Airframes: 24 General Electric F110 afterburning turbofan engines, ensuring both operational thrust and redundancy.
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Radar & Sensors: 22 AN/APG-83 AESA radars offering high-resolution targeting, advanced tracking, and electronic warfare resilience.
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Air-to-Air Weapons: 112 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs for beyond-visual-range engagements; 40 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinders for close-range agility.
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Air-to-Ground Arsenal: 36 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs for precision strikes; 60 MK-82 (500 lb) and 60 MK-84 (2,000 lb) general-purpose bombs for heavier strikes.
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Targeting Systems: 12 AN/AAQ-33 Sniper pods for GPS- and laser-guided weapon deployment in all weather conditions.
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Interoperability Gear: 24 MIDS-JTRS terminals for secure, jam-resistant data links.
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Survivability Systems: The AN/ALQ-254 Viper Shield EW suite to counter advanced radar-guided threats.
The acquisition would also include Infrared Search and Track (IRST) sensors, Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) pods, AGM-65 Maverick launchers, full logistics support, and ground crew training — ensuring that the fleet remains mission-ready for decades.
The Philippines has historically been a consumer of foreign defence equipment rather than a participant in their development. Lockheed Martin’s package aims to change that.
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Local MRO Facilities: The company is exploring setting up maintenance, repair, and overhaul sites to service not only the F-16 fleet but potentially other allied aircraft in the region.
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Workforce Development: Training programs could produce hundreds of aerospace engineers, technicians, and software specialists within the next decade.
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Supply Chain Integration: Selected Philippine companies could become certified suppliers for Lockheed Martin, opening the door to global export opportunities.
The tie-in with Southern Methodist University is particularly notable — integrating Philippine universities into U.S. defence research networks could position the country as a niche developer of AI-driven avionics and unmanned systems support.
The PAF’s current frontline fighter is the KAI FA-50PH, a Korean-made light combat aircraft derived from the T-50 trainer and loosely based on the F-16’s aerodynamic design. The FA-50’s similarities to the F-16 — cockpit layout, flight characteristics, and maintenance philosophy — would smooth the transition for PAF pilots to the Block 70 Viper.
Once operational, the F-16 would expand the PAF’s mission set:
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Advanced Maritime Patrols over the West Philippine Sea.
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Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) using AGM-88 HARM missiles.
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Deep Strike Missions into contested territory.
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Precision Close Air Support (CAS) in both conventional and counter-insurgency roles.
For a nation of over 7,000 islands, the combination of range, payload, and sensor power is critical — especially as Chinese forces continue to employ grey-zone tactics like water-cannoning Philippine resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal.
Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez has confirmed that Manila is looking at a long-term loan arrangement to finance the acquisition. This mirrors the structure used in the PAF’s UH-60 Black Hawk deal, where deliveries were phased to reduce budgetary strain.
The first F-16s could arrive as early as 2026, with the rest delivered by 2027 — an unusually rapid turnaround given fighter production backlogs.
“All of the jets being offered to us by the United States are brand new,” Romualdez noted.
“Washington has been presenting this block to us for quite some time, and now it’s finally moving forward.”
Lockheed Martin is not alone in the race. Sweden’s Saab Group is offering the JAS 39 Gripen E/F — a fighter with comparable multirole capabilities but lower operating costs.
In June 2024, Manila and Stockholm signed an agreement facilitating defence material procurement, setting the stage for a potential purchase of 12–14 Gripens. The Swedish offer would give the PAF the Meteor beyond-visual-range missile, the ES-05 Raven AESA radar with a swivelling swashplate, and the Skyward-G IRST — all within a platform designed for dispersed operations on short, rugged airstrips.
The Gripen’s first deliveries could align closely with the F-16’s, placing the decision squarely in the realm of strategic preference rather than delivery speed.
F-16 Block 70 vs JAS 39 Gripen E/F
| Feature | F-16 Block 70 (Viper) | JAS 39 Gripen E/F |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | GE F110-GE-129 | GE F414G |
| Max Speed | Mach 2.05 | Mach 2 |
| Combat Radius | ~667 km | ~800 km |
| Ferry Range | ~3,940 km | ~3,200 km |
| Radar | AN/APG-83 AESA | Raven ES-05 AESA |
| IRST | Yes | Yes (Skyward-G) |
| Max Payload | ~7,700 kg | ~6,500 kg |
| Hardpoints | 9 | 10 |
| Service Ceiling | ~15,240 m | ~15,240 m |
Both aircraft offer AESA radar, IRST, helmet-mounted cueing, and robust multirole capability. The F-16 brings heavier payload and deeper U.S. interoperability, while the Gripen offers better combat radius and potentially lower long-term costs.
Whichever fighter Manila chooses will define its defence alignment for decades.
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An F-16 Purchase would anchor the Philippines firmly within the U.S. and allied Pacific defence network, easing joint operations with Japan, Australia, and the U.S. Navy and Air Force.
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A Gripen Purchase would tilt towards a European-led model of defence collaboration, potentially increasing flexibility in arms sourcing but reducing direct integration with U.S. combat networks.
With Chinese harassment of Philippine resupply missions intensifying, the symbolism of choosing an American platform versus a Swedish one cannot be overstated.
A Philippine F-16 Block 70 fleet could:
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Serve as a deterrent not just against China but also any regional actor contemplating coercion.
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Allow for integrated patrols with U.S., Japanese, and Australian forces.
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Open opportunities for joint training exercises with other F-16 operators like Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Conversely, if the Gripen is chosen, Manila could become a launch customer in Southeast Asia for Saab’s latest model, potentially attracting regional interest from countries seeking non-U.S. options.
Lockheed Martin’s bet is that by tying its offer to education, industry, and innovation, it can tip the scales in its favour. If the plan succeeds, the Philippines could see:
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The emergence of local AI-driven avionics research.
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An export-capable aerospace supply chain.
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A steady pipeline of skilled engineers and technicians.
For Washington, it would mean not only securing a lucrative arms deal but also deepening one of its oldest treaty alliances at a time when the Indo-Pacific’s strategic environment is rapidly deteriorating.
The PAF’s choice between the F-16 Viper and the Gripen is more than a procurement decision — it is a strategic fork in the road that will shape the Philippines’ defence posture, industrial capacity, and geopolitical identity for decades.
If Lockheed Martin’s vision materialises, the country could move from being a passive defence consumer to an active player in the global aerospace ecosystem — with a fleet of brand-new Vipers as the sharp edge of its airpower.
