Will the Philippines follow Romania’s strategy?
The Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency (NDMA) has previously inked a contract to sell 32 Norwegian F-16MLU aircraft to Romania in November 2022. The re-export of the fighters has been approved by Washington.
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With the arrival of the Norwegian F-16s, Romania will be able to replace its aged MiG-21 Lancers, which are virtually no longer flying due to operational safety issues. The Romanian Air Force, already possesses 17 F-16 A/B fighters acquired second-hand from Portugal between 2016 and 2021, updated to MLU standard and configured in M5.2R, giving them capabilities comparable to the F-16’s of the block 50/52.
As a result, the whole Romanian fighter fleet is standardized into a single type, making logistics and availability of the jets easier and less expensive. The F-16s that have been upgraded to MLU standard (also known as F-16 AM, BM) are slightly more capable because they have been upgraded to M6.5.2, which allows them to fire the advanced AIM-120D ARMAAM missile or IRIS-T, Sniper target designation pod, drop JDAM family bombs, and other advanced capabilities.
The Romanian Air Force intends to utilize the F-16s as a stopgap for ten years until acquiring the Lockheed Martin F-35A. There is even talk of upgrading Romania's whole F-16 fleet to the M6XR configuration, which would affect the avionics, software, sensors, and delivery capabilities of the most contemporary guided missiles on the market, further standardizing the country's fighter fleet.
All Romania’s 49 F-16’s are all used but upgraded to MLU standard which is comparable to block 50 and 52. The Philippines should follow other countries example like Romania to be able to put up a credible air defense force. The Philippine Air Force might have an immediate need to bolster its air defense capabilities due to regional security concerns or a perceived threat. Purchasing used F-16’s could provide a relatively quick solution, a stop gap to address this need, as acquiring new fighter jets often involves lengthy procurement processes and a minimum number of years before it can be delivered.

The decision to purchase used F-16 fighter jets as a stop-gap measure for the Philippine Air Force could be influenced by several factors. Here are some reasons why such a decision might be considered:

Urgent Need: The Philippine Air Force might have an immediate need to bolster its air defense capabilities due to regional security concerns or a perceived threat. Purchasing used F-16s could provide a relatively quick solution to address this need, as acquiring new fighter jets often involves lengthy procurement processes.

Cost-Effectiveness: Used F-16s could potentially be more cost-effective than acquiring new fighter aircraft. The price of used aircraft is typically lower than that of brand-new ones, which could make them a more viable option for the Philippine Air Force, particularly if they have budget constraints.

Familiarity and Compatibility: The F-16 is a widely used fighter jet globally, and several countries operate this aircraft. By purchasing used F-16s, the Philippine Air Force may benefit from the existing infrastructure, spare parts, and maintenance support already available for this aircraft. Additionally, if the Philippines already operates F-16s or has pilots trained on them, acquiring additional used F-16s would ensure compatibility and ease of integration into the existing fleet.

Interoperability: The F-16 is a versatile multi-role fighter aircraft with advanced capabilities. If the Philippines has alliances or partnerships with other countries operating the F-16, acquiring used F-16s could enhance interoperability during joint military exercises or coalition operations, facilitating better coordination and cooperation.

Time for Long-Term Planning: Purchasing used F-16s could serve as a temporary solution while the Philippine Air Force formulates a long-term modernization plan. It would provide them with operational aircraft and the opportunity to assess their requirements, gather data, and plan for the acquisition of newer, more advanced fighter jets in the future.

It's important to note that the decision to acquire used F-16s or any other military equipment involves a careful evaluation of various factors, including budget, operational requirements, maintenance costs, and the overall defense strategy of the country.

photo credit: Jos Leendertse
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