Special Report: Lockheed Martin tailors F-16 offer for Philippines
Lockheed Martin is offering the PAF F-16 Block 70 combat aircraft equipped with modern avionics and conformal fuel tanks. (Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin's offer of F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft to the Philippines includes capabilities and support tailored for the country, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson has said.
In April the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that the Philippines had ârequested to buyâ 16 F-16C and four two-seat F-16D Block 70/72 aircraft. The potential deal has an estimated value of USD5.58 billion.
According to Jess Koloini, director of business development at Lockheed Martin's Integrated Fighter Group, the F-16 aircraft that the company is planning to offer to Manila is not the standard Block 70 package but will include capabilities that have been âinjectedâ into the aircraft as part of ongoing platform enhancement.
The aircraft to be offered to the Philippines will also be equipped with conformal fuel tanks (CFTs), which is of relevance to the Philippines considering the country's âgeographical dispersionâ across 7,641 islands, Koloini said. She added that CFTs are not standard equipment on the F-16 Block 70.
According to Koloini, the extended range provided by the CFTs supports the Philippines' Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) posture. The CADC aims to project Philippines' military power within its 200 n mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The low-drag CFTs have a combined capacity of 1,705 litre (450 US gal; 375 Imp gal). While the CFTs add weight to the aircraft, Koloini said the tanks âextend the range of aircraft by hundreds of n miles without a requirement for a tankerâ.
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) does not have an aerial refuelling capacity. According to Janes
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