International Competition for $7 Billion Contract for 40 Fighter Jets in Philippines.

The global market for the acquisition of fighter jets sees the emergence of a significant new project. The Philippines plans to order 40 fighter jets from an international manufacturer, a contract valued at $7 billion, or approximately 6.3 billion euros. While Manila has expressed interest in Saab's Gripen on several occasions and has even taken some steps toward its acquisition, the final outcome of the competition remains uncertain. In addition to Saab, several other major manufacturers are showing interest in the contract, including the European companies Eurofighter and Dassault Aviation, as well as Lockheed Martin (United States), Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI, South Korea), and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI, Turkey).
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In addition to Saab, several major manufacturers, including Eurofighter, Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), are also interested in the contract. (Picture source: Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin, KAI, TAI)

The recent Asian Defense and Security Exhibition (ADAS), held in Manila from September 25 to 27, 2024, allowed various competitors to showcase their models, with the notable exception of Dassault, whose Rafale is a candidate but was not present at the event. The Eurofighter, considered one of the main rivals to the Rafale, was showcased at the fifth edition of ADAS, under the leadership of Leonardo. The latter is leading efforts to promote the Typhoon to potential buyers in the Philippines, following the Eurofighter consortium's policy of assigning each sales campaign to one of its partners.

Saab also made its presence known by exhibiting a full-scale model of its Gripen E/F, reinforcing its position in the competition. The Swedish company hopes to build on progress already made in its discussions with Manila. Lockheed Martin presented its F-16, a proven model in the field of combat aviation, while KAI highlighted its KF-21 Boramae. TAI displayed several of its aircraft, including the Hürkuş, Hürjet, and the fifth-generation Kaan.

The Dassault Rafale is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter developed by France, with production beginning in 2001. It entered service with the French Air Force in 2004. Designed for missions such as air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and nuclear deterrence, the Rafale is equipped with advanced technologies such as the RBE2 AESA radar and the Spectra electronic warfare system. Approximately 240 units are in service in France, and it has been exported to countries such as India, Egypt, and Qatar.

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a multirole fighter developed in partnership between the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Produced since 1994, it entered service in 2003. Primarily designed for air superiority, it is also capable of ground attack missions. The Typhoon is equipped with a Captor AESA radar and a fly-by-wire control system. Its agility is enhanced by its aerodynamic design and delta-canard configuration. Around 570 Typhoons are currently in service, shared between partner countries and export clients such as Saudi Arabia and Austria.

The Saab Gripen is a light multirole fighter of 4.5-generation, developed by Sweden. Gripen production began in the 1990s, and it entered service in 1997. The Gripen is designed for air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions, with versatility and a low logistical footprint. It is equipped with the PS-05/A AESA radar and an advanced electronic warfare system and can carry a wide range of modern armaments. The Gripen is valued for its maneuverability, ability to operate from austere bases, and relatively low operational costs. It is currently in service in Sweden, Hungary, South Africa, and Brazil, and has been ordered by several other countries.

Compared to the other options mentioned, the Saab Gripen remains a particularly advantageous option for the Philippine Air Force, notably due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to meet the country's operational challenges (Picture source: Saab)

The F-16 Fighting Falcon, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a multirole fighter introduced in 1978. It is one of the most popular fighters in the world, with over 4,500 units produced and in service in more than 25 countries. Initially designed as a lightweight fighter, it has evolved into a multirole platform capable of air superiority and precision strikes. The F-16 is equipped with modern sensors such as the AN/APG-83 radar and can carry a wide range of armaments. It remains in production under the F-16V Block 70/72 version, which incorporates advanced technologies such as AESA.

The KF-21 Boramae is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in partnership with Indonesia. Its production began in 2020, and it is expected to enter service by 2026. Designed to replace the F-4 and F-5 in the South Korean Air Force, it is intended for air superiority and ground attack missions. While not a stealth fighter, the KF-21 incorporates low observability features and is equipped with AESA radars. The first units are expected to be delivered from 2026, with an initial order of 120 aircraft.

The Hürjet, developed by TAI, is an advanced trainer and light attack aircraft, with production starting in 2018. It is expected to enter service in 2025. Designed to replace the F-5 and T-38 in the Turkish Air Force, it is designed for supersonic combat training and light air support missions. The Hürjet will be able to carry a range of air-to-ground and air-to-air armaments, while being equipped with modern sensors and communication systems.

Compared to the other options mentioned, the Saab Gripen remains a particularly advantageous option for the Philippine Air Force, notably due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to meet the country's operational challenges.

This program, known as the Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) program, aims to modernize and strengthen the Philippine Air Force fleet. The aircraft acquired under this program will complement the current fleet of FA-50PH light combat aircraft, produced by KAI, already in service with the Philippine Air Force. The latter is now looking to acquire more powerful multirole fighters to enhance its defense capabilities in the face of growing regional tensions.

In conclusion, the competition for this major contract in the Philippines brings together several of the world's largest fighter jet manufacturers. Saab, Lockheed Martin, KAI, Eurofighter, TAI, and Dassault Aviation are vying for this $7 billion deal, each showcasing their models at the recent ADAS exhibition. As Manila evaluates the different proposals, the outcome of this strategic program remains to be seen.