The U.S. supports the sale of F-16 missiles to the Philippines by Business and Economic News

The U.S. State Department approved the approval of the sale of F-16 aircraft and Sidewinder and Harpoon missiles to the Philippines with a combined value of more than $ 2.5 million.

The Philippines is looking for a new multi-role fighter jet and is evaluating the F-16 and SAAB Abs Flu.

Thursday’s announcement that the United States wants to renew its agreement with the Philippines in the country that governs the presence of U.S. troops, which is key to Washington’s strategy to counter Chinese ongoing activity in Asia.

Last week, The Philippines again suspended for six months the movement to suspend the two-decade Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). that was due to expire in August.

According to the Pentagon, the Philippines was asked to buy 10 aircraft in the F-16C block 70/72 and two 70/72 aircraft in the F-16D block made by Lockheed Martin Co., a package that includes spare parts and training worth between $ 2.43 million .

Although approved by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that the contract has been signed or that the negotiations have been concluded.

During a competition, the department accepts exports before naming the winner.

“Selected security partner”

Eric Sayers, a visiting member of the Conservative Business Institute of America, said it is “a proactive effort by Washington to keep the United States as a security partner in Manila.”

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly condemned U.S. foreign policy as he is looking at closer ties with China, he told Washington last year The Allied cancellation of the VFA due to anger against a senator and the denial of a U.S. visa. Since then, he has slowly backtracked on his threat and repeatedly suspended the expiration date of military exercises.

Duterte also blamed the US for the loss of some South China Sea territories to China.

Gregory Poling, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Maritime Security Research, said one of Duterte’s complaints was that the United States had failed to provide the Philippines with high-quality equipment.

“I would expect the U.S. government to look for opportunities to address that perception in the next six months,” he said.

The Pentagon also informed Congress that two packages of missiles could be sold to the Philippines.

One was made by Boeing for 12 Harpoon Air Aired Block II missiles, two training missiles, spare parts and $ 120 million worth of equipment.

Another was made by Raytheon Technologies and valued at $ 42.4 million for 24 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles, 24 training missiles, and spare parts.

The Philippines is an ally of the U.S. treaty and several military agreements are subject to the VFA, which governs the rotation of thousands of Philippine and U.S. troops.

The ability to rotate in the military is important not only for the defense of the Philippines, but also for the United States strategically when it comes to dealing with China’s increasingly assertive stance in the region.

“The package is a serious step that will grab Beijing’s attention,” Sayers said.

Lockheed Martin said the F-16 will play an important role in strengthening Manila’s strategic partnership with Washington and its allies, while allowing the Philippines to merge with other F-16 operators in Southeast Asia.

In recent years the Philippines has been improving its military capability and equipment, but is still believed to be behind other countries in the region.

In recent months, Tensions with China over the maritime borders of the South China Sea they have made it more urgent for the country to improve its military capability.