Overview

• Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez said the planned purchase is on hold primarily due to funding, calling financing the choke point.
• Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro has signaled other Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization priorities take precedence over the F-16 package.
• The United States cleared a possible sale in April of 16 F-16C and four F-16D Block 70/72 aircraft with associated support, valued at about $5.58 billion.
• Manila signed a separate contract in June for 12 FA-50 jets from South Korea worth about $703 million.
• A decision on whether to proceed with the F-16s will hinge on how the AFP allocates funds in the next phase of its modernization program.