International competition to win a pending Philippine air force order for 18 fighter aircraft is intensifying, with the number of potential contenders and proposals continuing to lengthen.
The air force has been given a range of industry briefings and presentations on at least nine different European, Israeli, Russian and US fighter types. A formal invitation to tender is expected to be made to a shortlist of three by June.
Official interest has extended as far as the Eurofighter EF2000, Dassault Rafale and Saab/British Aerospace Gripen. Given the limited $50 billion pesos ($1.9 billion) amount available for the first five years of the 15-year defence-modernisation budget, and the pressing need for new aircraft in the short term, the EF2000 and Rafale are at best considered to be outside candidates for the competition.
The remaining six aircraft are a mixture of new-build and revamped secondhand airframes. The final selection will hinge heavily on offers of financing, delivery dates and the internal air force debate between single- or twin-engined fighters
Supporters of twin engines, led by air force chief of staff Gen Arnulfo Acedera, have a straight choice between the top-of-the line McDonnell Douglas F-18C/D and the cheaper MAPO Mikoyan MiG-29.
The single-engined Lockheed Martin F-16 is also a front runner, with several US options on offer, including new-build F-16C/Ds; new mid-life-update A/Bs; and surplus US Air Force A/Bs upgraded to OCU Block 15 standard. Dassault is offering the Rafale, along with a choice of new-build Mirage 2000-5s or surplus French air force Mirage F.1CT fighters. Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), in the meantime, is working to revive its stalled five-year-old deal to supply the Kfir fighter. In place of the C7, IAI is offering the Kfir 2000.
Source: Flight International
