#multirolefighter

Just more on that Php 805 billion that the 18 former Soldiers of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) said were stolen from the Government by Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) and his Allies: Php 805 billion is around Usd 13.97 billion assuming an Exchange Rate of Php 57.64 per Dollar.

That would’ve been enough to buy twenty brand new F-16V Block 70 Fighting Falcon Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Aircraft, two brand new Submarines, the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge and more.

Remember that last Year of 2025, the United States (US) updated their offer of the F-16 Aircraft to the Philippines to include 20 Aircraft with Spare Parts and Maintenance, 112 AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 40 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Missiles, 66 various Types of Guided Bombs, etc. for around Usd 5.58 billion.

Then the typical, brand new Submarine offers the Philippines has been at most around Usd 2 billion for two Units. Meanwhile, the latest estimate of the Cost of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge is "only" around Usd 4 billion, and it would be the longest Bridge in the Philippines, and one of the longest in the World.

Putting all those three together means a Total of “only” Usd 11.58 billion, so there would still be Usd 2.39 billion left to spend on other Things out of that Usd 13.97 billion.

Take Note that the Payment for the F-16s, Submarines and Bridge could be done in Cash, or straight up Payment of the entire amount. No need for Down payments and subsequent payments later. It would’ve meant we pay for the entire amounts as per the Contract. But instead now, that Money was spent lining the Pockets of BBM and his Allies.

SOURCE:

The Chief of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura told the Press recently that the Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Aircraft that they will choose must be able to Land and Operate on Short Runways.

Directly quoting some of what he said, "The Specifications, I need not go to the Details but in Terms of our Selection for MRF, the CADC, our Defense Campaign Plan, our Concept for Defense entails Projection so we need to be able to exhibit credible defense in our EEZ".

He mentioned that having the Capability to land on Short or Small Runways allows quick response and flexibility in deploying these proposed MRFs, and that the MRFs "should cater to more Asymmetric Capabilities".

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Philippine News Agency (PNA)” Website: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1252884

MY THOUGHTS: From what I can tell, the PAF Chief seems to be hinting of getting, or at least preferring the JAS-39 Gripen Fighter Aircraft for their MRF. All of the important “Catch Phrases” related to the Marketing of the Gripen are there, like “Short Runway Capability” and “Asymmetric Capability”.

To be Fair, other Aircraft like the F-16C Fighting Falcon and F-2 Viper Zero are able to do these also, but not at same Level as that the of the Gripen since those Capabilities are deeply embedded into the Gripen’s Design. Now if they do go out and get the Gripen, I wonder how the United States (US) President Donald Trump will react?

He was clearly hinting for the Philippines to get their F-16C Aircraft, having it approved for Sale even if the Philippines didn’t ask them, reportedly. Trump could in response deny deployment of more of their Missiles here in the Philippines.

I think though that the Philippines might hope to calm Trump down if that happens by buying other US-made Weapons Systems like the Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC), the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and Others also.

Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro recently revealed that they plan to get more than three dozen Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Aircraft for the Philippines, and there are already around six Candidates from four Countries and one Consortium for this planned acquisition for the Philippine Air Force (PAF)

A recent News5 Article mentioned the substantial Budget that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is planning to allocate for its Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) which seems enough to buy just about any of the existing Fighting Aircraft in the Market right now, including the F-35 Lightning II Stealth Aircraft. The same Article also mentioned about the PAF’s plan to acquire more FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)

The Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Romeo Brawner Jr. basically made another "Nothingburger" update about the Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Program of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), only that President Bong Bong Marcos (PBBM) had already approved it but that up now they still haven’t chosen which one and how many to buy.

Put this one then as just another of the already many Entries in the ongoing and long-running “Saga” of the PAF’s MRF Project …