The United States approved today the sale of 20 F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, in a deal valued at USD 5.58 billion. The decision, announced by the US State Department, is aimed at strengthening Manila's defense capabilities. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Philippines has requested the purchase of 16 F-16 C Block 70/72 fighters and four F-16 D Block 70/72 fighters, along with engines and support equipment. The State Department stressed that the sale "will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States, helping to enhance the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in Southeast Asia".

The move follows a visit by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Philippines in late March. During his visit, the secretary met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr., reiterating the US commitment to supporting the alliance with Manila. A DoD press release said Hegseth and Teodoro agreed to "take several bold steps and establish a robust agenda" to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The decision appears to have exacerbated the climate of growing tensions in the West Philippine Sea. China immediately reacted with concern to the announcement. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun, quoted by "The Daily Tribune", the Philippine newspaper, warned that the Philippines' security cooperation "should not target third parties or harm the interests of third parties. Nor should it threaten regional peace and security or exacerbate regional tensions". Beijing has therefore reiterated its position, stating that actions that threaten peace in the region are not acceptable. The announcement of the sale also adds to the tensions in the Taiwan Strait, generated by the intensification of Chinese military maneuvers around Taiwan with the joint exercise of the People's Liberation Army that took place on April 1 and 2, 2025 (yesterday and today, Ed.), which saw at least 21 warships and 27 aircraft, plus missiles, deployed on the first day alone (see AVIONEWS).

The F-16 is a single-engine, multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the USAF. Designed as a light fighter, it later evolved into a multirole aircraft. The first flight occurred in February 1974; it entered service in August 1978. The F-16C (single-seat) and F-16D (two-seater) variants entered service in 1984.

The F-16V, also designated F-16 Block 70/72, is a new version of the Fighting Falcon equipped with the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 AESA radar - derived from the AN/APG-80 of the F-16E/F block 60) and also known as Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), a new Raytheon mission computer, a Datalink Link 16, modern cockpit displays, an advanced electronic warfare system and a ground collision avoidance system.

As early as June 24, 2021, the US Department of State authorized the sale to the Philippine government of 10 F-16C Block 70 fighter jets and 2 F-16D Block 72 fighter jets and related equipment for USD 2.43 billion.