Philippines to buy 12 South Korean fighter jet

From ABS-CBN (Oct 18): Philippines to buy 12 South Korean fighter jet

The Philippines and South Korea have agreed to fast-track the process for the Philippines to buy 12 lead-in fighter jets as part of the Armed Forces modernization plan.

The Philippine government is allotting P18.976 billion for the purchase of these 12 brand new jets that would primarily be used to train pilots and increase the capability of the military to patrol the country’s borders.

“Meron tayong tinatapos both in their laws and our laws, ‘yung sa procurement. Medyo napakahaba nung mga details eh. Pero bottom line, both sides agreed to try and expedite the arm purchase and their delivery of these planes,” President Aquino said Thursday.

Aquino and his South Korean counterpart, President Park Geun-hye witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries on defense cooperation.

Peter Galvez, spokesman for the defense department, earlier said the Philippines is eyeing FA-50s manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries.

The Air Force decommissioned F-5s in 2005, leaving the country without lead-in fighter aircraft to address external threats, such as in the West Philippine Sea.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/17/13/philippines-buy-12-south-korean-fighter-jets