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it is reported that the philippine defense minister recently said that he would purchase 40 advanced fighter jets to "enhance the ability to defend the country's territory." the chief of staff of the philippine armed forces said that the philippines is considering purchasing medium-range missiles.

why is the philippines considering purchasing advanced fighter jets and medium-range missiles?

changes in philippine defense policy

military observer liang yongchun believes that judging from the philippines' high-profile purchase of advanced fighter jets and medium-range missiles, the philippines' current defense policy is undergoing fundamental changes.

liang yongchun:

the philippines is an archipelago country. the first thing it needs to use is the navy. the air force does not receive much military funding. the most advanced equipment is the fa-50 fighter jet made in south korea. this modified trainer aircraft has a certain combat capability and is sufficient to suppress separatist and terrorist forces in its country. in addition, the philippines has also purchased the "brahmos" anti-ship missile from india.

now, the philippines is purchasing more advanced fighter jets and medium-range missiles, indicating that its defense policy is undergoing fundamental changes - the philippines is preparing for a "war it cannot afford."

philippines buys advanced fighter jets

the philippines recently announced that it will purchase 40 modern aircraft, but did not disclose the specific models.

liang yongchun made an analysis on this.

liang yongchun:

the philippines now has two more realistic options.

first, they bought f-16 fighters that were about to be retired from other countries. such fighters are cheap and in sufficient supply. the fa-50 fighters currently used by the philippine air force were originally f-16 trainer aircraft, and pilots can be converted relatively quickly.

second, continue to buy south korean fighter jets. south korea also hopes that the philippines will buy a batch of upgraded fa-50 fighter jets, as well as the kf-21 stealth fighter jets that south korea is developing. these fighter jets use american technology, and if the deal can be concluded, the united states will also make money and will not object. no matter what fighter jets the philippine government buys, it probably won't dare to go against the wishes of the united states.

philippines buys medium-range missiles

it is generally believed that the philippines intends to purchase the us typhon medium-range missile system.

liang yongchun analyzed that the united states intends to deploy medium-range missiles in the philippines to deter china, while the philippines intends to use this arms purchase to bargain with china on the south china sea issue.

liang yongchun:

the key to this deal is not whether the philippines wants to buy, but whether the united states dares to sell, because it involves a series of complex legal issues.

the typhon medium-range missile system can be deployed flexibly and can launch multiple types of missiles such as the standard missile-6 and tomahawk. the range of the land-based tomahawk missile can reach 1,500 kilometers. in april this year, the us military deployed the typhon missile system to the philippines in the name of a joint exercise.

next, if the philippine government comes forward to buy the typhon missile system, the philippines will completely become a puppet of the united states in its "great power competition", which will seriously endanger the security of countries surrounding the south china sea, including china.

the us and the philippines' attempt at strategic blackmail against china will not succeed.

source: china national radio military wechat official account