Philippines Awaits Formal U.S. Offer on Proposed F-16 Fighter Jet Deal

The Philippine government has not yet received a formal offer from the United States for the proposed sale of F-16 fighter jets, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Wednesday, despite a U.S. clearance issued earlier this month.

“We are still to receive any formal offer or proposal up to now,” Teodoro told reporters during an interview at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City. He did not provide further details.

The Philippines is seeking to modernize its air force by acquiring multi-role fighter jets to complement its existing fleet of South Korean-made FA-50PHs. These FA-50PHs, considered light combat aircraft, were delivered between 2015 and 2017.

Earlier this month, on April 1, the U.S. Department of State approved a potential foreign military sale involving 20 Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft—16 F-16C and four F-16D variants—worth approximately $5.58 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the deal would include a full suite of aircraft systems, weapons, and training equipment.

The proposed package includes 24 engines (20 installed, 4 spares), 22 advanced radars, 22 mission computers, navigation systems with anti-spoofing capabilities, as well as air-to-air missiles, bombs, targeting systems, simulators, and training support.

Philippine defense planners are also evaluating Sweden’s SAAB JAS-39 Gripen as an alternative to the F-16.

Despite the U.S. approval, the lack of a formal proposal leaves the timeline for acquisition uncertain. Defense acquisition processes typically require a series of technical, financial, and diplomatic steps before a sale is finalized.