The Philippine government is considering buying additional fighter jets from South Korea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Thursday.
“Pag uusapan pa namin sa senior leaders. Pero ang gusto natin pati si Presidente, nung makita niyang effective, baka daw dagdagan pa ng another 12 (We talked with senior leaders. But we may add another 12 if the President sees that it is effective),” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Air Force symposium at Camp Aguinaldo.
“Pero it depends kung ano yung iniisip na build ng ating Air Force,” he added.
In 2015, the Aquino administration purchased 12 FA-50 fighter jets worth P18.9 billion. The acquisition was completed in 2017.
President Rodrigo Duterte has been critical of the acquisition of air assets, saying it was just a waste of money. But the assets proved useful during the Marawi siege as they were used for the bomb runs that flushed out the Maute group.
The President later expressed interest in procuring more fighter jets.
READ: Duterte eyes more troops, fighter jets
Duterte visited South Korea over the weekend. His visit yielded $4.9 billion worth of investment agreements.
Lorenzana said they also discussed possible transfer of technology from South Korea so the Philippines can produce its own military equipment. /ee
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