11 Januari 2023
JAS-39 Gripen fighter (photo : Saab)
MaxDefense Philippines received confirmation from numerous sources from the DND, and the Philippine Air Force, that the DND has resubmitted its request for approval of the Multirole Fighter Acquisition Project to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, still based on the JAS-39C/D Gripen proposal.
And that initial funding would be using Unprogrammed Funds under General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 which has more than enough to finance the initial funding required to start the project.
If this pushes through, the Multirole Fighter Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force will become the Philippines' most expensive defense acquisition undertaking in its history, as the project is expected to cost more than Php73 billion, which includes the ammunition for the fighters.
MaxDefense Philippines estimates to be between 12 to 24 additional fighters depending on funding availability.
(Da-Real)