US agrees to sell F-16s, throw in Philippines | Business and Financial Issues

The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of F-16 fighter jets as well as Sidewinder and Harpoon weapons to the Philippines in three batches worth more than $ 2.5bn.

Philippines is looking for a new fighter jet and is monitoring F-16 and SAAB Abs Gripen.

The announcement Thursday comes as the United States seeks to forge an agreement with the Philippines to control the US military in the country, which is central to Washington’s stance on China’s growing work in Asia.

Last week, Philippines suspends for six months to scrap two-year contract (VFA) which is due to end in August.

The Pentagon said the Philippines had requested the purchase of 10 F-16C Block 70/72 aircraft and two F-16D Block 70/72 aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin Co Package, which includes storage and training units, valued at $ 2.43bn.

Although the State Department approved, this notice does not indicate that an agreement has been signed or that negotiations have ended.

In most cases, the department approves the export before it wins its name.

‘The Beloved One of the Security’

Eric Sayers, a co-founder at the American Enterprise Institute, said it looked like “a test by Washington for the United States to remain a security partner in Manila”.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who often criticizes US foreign policy during his visit to China, told Washington last year that banning VFA when he was angered by the senator and his colleague being denied a US visa. Since then, he has slowly recovered from his threats and has repeatedly suspended the last day of the war.

Duterte also criticized the US that the Philippines had been conquered by China and parts of the South China Sea.

Gregory Poling, a maritime security specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Study, said one of the concerns of Duterte was his view that the United States does not supply high-quality weapons to the Philippines.

“I hope the US government will be exploring opportunities for the next six months to address these issues,” he said.

The Pentagon also informed Congress on Thursday of the possibility of selling two shipwrecks in the Philippines.

One was a 12 Harpoon Air Launched Block II Combat, two training arrows, weapons and equipment manufactured by Boeing and cost $ 120 million.

Another was a 24 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II, 24 training arrows and other equipment manufactured by Raytheon Technologies and cost $ 42.4m.

The Philippines is a U.S. ally and several military allies rely on the VFA, which oversees the circulation of thousands of U.S. military forces inside and outside the Philippines.

Having the potential to change the military is important not only to protect the Philippines, but also to make the United States more prudent in tackling China’s courageous actions in the region.

“This package is a very important part that will capture the interest of Beijing,” said Sayers.

Lockheed Martin said the F-16 would play a key role in promoting cooperation between Manila and Washington and its partners, enabling the Philippines to connect with other workers in the Southeast Asia F-16.

The Philippines has been upgrading its weapons and armor in recent years, but is still considered one of the few countries remaining in the region.

In recent months, Conflicts with China on the South China Sea border he has done this urgently in order for the country to develop its military capabilities.