Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
The new Philippine Government of president-elect Joseph Estrada has poured cold water on the outgoing Administration's proposed purchase of 23 ex-Kuwaiti McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawks as an interim solution to the Philippine air force's chronic shortage of fighter aircraft.
The A-4s form part of a "joint strike force" package of weapons intended to address the Philippine armed forces' more immediate equipment needs. The wish list, compiled in response to a request from soon-to-retire President Fidel Ramos, included up to 24 surplus-US Air Force and embargoed Pakistani Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs and additional Northrop Grumman F-5s.
Local observers have labelled the proposed 49 billion peso ($1.16 billion) procurement the "midnight deal" because of the impending transition to a new Government on 30 June. The Ramos Administration has been urging Estrada and his designated defence secretary, Orlando Mercado, to approve the deal, in the face of continuing delays in implementing the 15-year Philippine defence modernisation programme.
Estrada and Mercado, however, have refused to be rushed into a decision and instead are questioning the source of the proposed funding and the impact it will have on the budget already approved for the five first years of the modernisation programme.
The air force acknowledges its urgent need for new fighters, but there is concern that an interim secondhand buy will detract from its long term goal of acquiring modern multirole fighters.
McDonnell Douglas tried to sell the A-4s to the Philippines in 1995 as part of Kuwait's F/A-18 purchase. The air force recently acquired seven South Korean F-5A/Bs for a nominal sum to supplement the five it still has flying and, in lieu of a better offer from Manila, the Kuwait aircraft seem bound for the Brazilian Navy.
The Philippines air force has granted six competing fighter manufacturers a two week extension, until 15 July, to submit tenders for 12 new fighters, plus 12 options. Qualified contenders comprise the Dassault Mirage 2000-5, F/A-18C/D Hornet, F-16C/D, Israel Aircraft Industries Kfir 2000, MAPO MiG-29 Fulcrum and Saab/British Aerospace JAS39 Gripen.
A final selection is due by year-end, but, with the peso weakening against the US dollar, there is concern as to whether the air force can afford even the 12 firm aircraft planned. It has acquired two surplus USAF Lockheed Martin C-130Bs free, having been offered two C-130Ks by the RAF.
Source: Flight International
