PH not discounting possibility of acquiring Japanese fighter jets

The Philippines is not discounting the possibility of acquiring Japanese fighter jets in the future, Philippine Air Force (PAF) commanding general Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura said Tuesday. 

''Mitsubishi fighters, the Japanese-made multi-roles (fighter aircraft) are very potential platforms also. The selection for the multi-role will depend upon the appreciation of the department in terms of how these are incorporated, this can be effectively incorporated in the whole CADC (Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept) concept ano,'' Cordura told reporters.

''So it does not discount later, perhaps, platforms coming also from Japan if they will serve the purpose of our territorial defense plan,'' added Cordura. 

Cordura said the Official Security Assistance from Japan would provide the Philippines with avenues ''to increase or enhance our capabilities particularly on maritime domain awareness.''

''Our priority here is our sensors, 'yung mga radars natin. In addition, OSA allows us avenue to access HADR platforms also and equipment; so these are amongst the capability requirements that are already incorporated and up for obligation under the OSA to be delivered by our partner that is Japan,'' he said. 

He also mentioned that the defense relationship between Manila and Tokyo was healthy and ''progressively increasing.'' 

Early this year, it was announced that the Philippines would be on the priority list of Japan's military aid.

Since Japan established the OSA in April 2023, the Philippines has been the biggest recipient of the non-combat military assistance, with the Philippine Navy receiving coastal surveillance radars to improve its maritime domain awareness. —VAL, GMA Integrated News