US Approves $5.58 Billion Fighter-Jet Sale To Philippines

Washington: The United States said on Tuesday it has approved a sale of $5.58 billion in F-16 fighter-jets to the Philippines, as Washington backs its ally in rising tensions over China.

The State Department said it was green-lighting the sale that includes 20 F-16 jets and related equipment to the Philippines, a treaty-bound ally of the United States.
The sale will“improve the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace and economic progress in Southeast Asia,” a State Department statement said.

The sale will boost "the Philippine Air Force's ability to conduct maritime domain awareness" and "enhance its suppression of enemy air defenses," it said.

• Woman saved in Myanmar capital after trapped by quake for 91 hours
• Greenland votes again in local polls amid Trump threats
• 'Heartbreaking' floods swamp Australia's cattle country

President Donald Trump's administration has sought to redirect US military efforts to Asia to face a rising China, especially as tensions rise over Taiwan, and to lessen involvement in Europe despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Philippines and China have seen months of escalating confrontations in the South China Sea. Beijing claims almost the entirety of the crucial waterway, despite an international ruling that its claim has no merit.

On a recent visit to Manila, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to“reestablish deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region” in light of“threats from the Communist Chinese.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated US defense commitments to the Philippines, a contrast to the Trump administration's frequent talk of "freeloading" off the United States by allies in Europe.

MENAFN01042025000063011010ID1109380298