The Department of National Defense (DND) has recommended to President Aquino the purchase of South Korean-made jet fighters to boost the country’s external defense capability.
Fernando Manalo, DND undersecretary for finance, munitions,
installations and materiel, said the assessment conducted revealed that it is South Korea
“Based on our assessment it is the T50 of South Korea that
is most advantageous to us in consideration to the obtaining situation in the West Philippine Sea ,” said Manalo.
Aside from capability, the T50s are also ideal in terms of
the country’s limited budget for Air Force modernization, he said.
If the contract is signed with South Korea
What would happen if the contract is signed, according to
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, is that they would request for immediate
delivery of two of the T50s to facilitate the training of Air Force pilots.
“We will negotiate so we can get the two immediately for
training so that when the rest of the 10 arrives, our pilots are already
trained,” said Gazmin.
Manalo stressed the need to sign into law the P75-billion
modernization budget for military modernization.
“Without the law, we cannot implement the acquisition of
these fighters . . . because there is no budget,” said Manalo.
The Philippines
is now focusing on its external defense after it became locked in a standoff
with China
The two Philippine civilian ships have already pulled out
several weeks ago to deescalate the tension but Chinese ships remain in the
area and even set structure to block other ships from entering the Shoal.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar