The Philippine air force plans to bolster and extend the life of its fleet of Northrop Grumman F-5A/Bs as interim lead-in fighters, until a replacement trainer aircraft can be funded.
Despite the F-5's advanced age and problems with airframe cracking, the air force wants to retain the type, even after the planned introduction of a yet-to-be selected multi-role fighter.
"We want to make sure the jump from what we have to the new fighters is not too great," says Philippines air force chief, Maj Gen William Hotchkiss.
Attrition has reduced the air force's F-5 strength to ten aircraft, including two tandem-seat -Bs, not all of which are operational at any one time. Numbers were recently boosted with the acquisition of three F-5A/Bs from South Korea for the nominal sum of $100, two more from Jordan and one from Taiwan.
The air force is looking for additional second hand F-5s to further increase this number to between 18 and 24 aircraft. At the same time, a range of options is being evaluated to extend the F-5's operational life, including a structural and limited avionics upgrade.
With just $36 million available in the recently approved defence- modernisation budget for F-5 improvements, the air force is considering a range of counter-trade proposals. They include an offer of 18 Canadian CF-5As in return for mining rights. Contrary to earlier reports, no decision has yet been made, emphasises Hotchkiss. "We're looking at our options really closely as we only have so many pesos available," he adds.
In the longer-term, as funds become available, the air force intends to replace the F-5s, along with its Siai- Marchetti S.211 basic trainer/light attack aircraft. The first five years of the defence-modernisation budget includes provision for the acquisition of six "surface-attack aircraft" and another six in the following five-year period.
"It can be the same platform, it can be a surface-attack aircraft and also our lead-in trainer," according to Hotchkiss.
Source: Flight International
