The newly acquired fighter jets from South Korea has finally opened up the Philippines back to supersonic age.
While Secretary Voltaire Gazmin is inspecting “Fighting Eagle” Jets, he said, “We’re glad, we are finally back to the supersonic age.”
Gazmin said, that the Philippine Air Force will soon acquire a first modern fighter aircraft, next to the newly acquired one squadron of Korean made fighting eagle FA-50Ph aircraft.
The Department of National Defense (DND) bids and awards committee of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is now studying the 2nd horizon modernization program and is considering to acquire a multirole fighter aircraft that can perform multiple role missions simultaneously.
A military defense expert said the Philippines should not just rely only on western military fighter aircraft which is so expensive such as F-16V and Jas 39 Gripen worth approximately $60million each. The F-15SE at $100million per unit, but should also look to other sources and suppliers from Israel or Russia.
The Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35S Flanker-E fighter jet worth $40million per unit. It’s not just only cheap, but it is also combat proven, defense expert added.
Watch this Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35S Flanker-E
The Sukhoi Su-35S Flanker-E is the strongest jet fighter as of now in operation with the Russian Air Force. It is powered by twin powerful Saturn AL- 41 (117) turbofans. These engines have thrust vectoring, allowing the aircraft to climb at a greater rate than its predecessor, the first Soviet-time Su-27. The aircraft can reach speeds of Mach 2.25, roughly 2,400 kilometers per hour on internal fuel tanks. It conveys a colossal payload and with the propelled suite of aeronautics, makes the Su-35 a greatly unsafe enemy to any U.S. warplane, except for the stealthy Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.
That is a reason why the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force has signed a contract to buy 24 units, Sukhoi Su-35 multipurpose fighter jets from Russia, becoming the first foreign buyer of the advanced warplane, according to manufacturer Rostec.
Likewise, the Indonesian government has decided to purchase Russian-made Su-35 multirole fighters, its desire to order 16 units, Sukhoi Su-35 fighters to replace its aging fleet of Northrop F-5Es.
What do you think? Is the government should also do the same like the Indonesia and make the Russian Sukhoi Su-35S fighter jet be as an alternative for the next advance fighter aircraft of the Philippine Air Force?
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov conveyed this to Senate President Franklin Drilon and other Filipino officials during discussions in Moscow, Russia last October on pressing global issues, including the need to look for a peaceful resolution of the conflict with China over certain areas in the West Philippine Sea.
Drilon and Lavrov also agreed on strengthening bilateral relations.
Drilon said he informed Lavrov that “both countries can still work together to strengthen regional peace and stability.”
“Our efforts at the regional level should be complemented by our work at the bilateral level. This is why the Philippine is keen on deepening relations with Russia on all fronts.” he said.
Drilon also said that the Philippines is also interested in signing a number of pending agreements from consular protection to humanitarian cooperation, to trade and investment enhancement, to fighting transnational crimes, including terrorism, to defense and security cooperation, among others. - Carl E.
Also, read this: Philippines Next Fighter Jets – Jas 39 Gripen
