MRF Project Approved
Outgoing President Rodrigo R Duterte had approved the Multirole Fighter (MRF) project, albeit without funding for the acquisition.
Phillippines aims to purchase 12 multi-role fighter aircraft for air defense and interception. Currently, the Philippines Air Force operates the FA-5O fighters acquired from South Korea.
India also showed interest
“Several nations have shown interest in submitting bids” for the program. It is pertinent to mention that the Indian Light Combat Aircraft is looking to debut in the international market and has emerged as a top contender in the Malaysian contract
MoU between India’s HAL and the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation
Some media reports reported that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) involving the purchase of different Indian-made aircraft, including fighter planes and helicopters, was signed in May 2022 between India’s HAL and the Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC).
At the time, it was stated that the HAL Tejas Mk1A variant would cost $42 million, allowing the Philippines to procure 12 aircraft at half the price quoted by Lockheed Martin and Saab.
Tejas out of Race
Now, under new President Bongbong Marcos, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced that it had shortlisted the Lockheed Martin F-16 and the Saab JAS39 Gripen in its multi-role fighter jet (MRF) tender.
F-16V is the newest and most technologically advanced F-16 currently in use and is regarded as the best fourthgeneration MRF for combat experience.
In contrast, the JAS-39 “Gripen” C/D is regarded as the world’s most dependable “swing-role combat aircraft” in the meantime.
Why did Tejas lose out?
However, Aerospace and Defense Analyst Girish Linganna says: “Once our Airforce uses Tejas, and the world sees that the fighter jet is at par – then we can think of exporting if our manufacturing improves by then. That’s a long 15–20 years away
It isn’t tested YET!!!
Even if Tejas performs as well – nobody with money will buy Tejas simply because – It is untested and comes from a country that still imports a lot of defense equipment and has a tiny export-oriented defense industry.”
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