The Air Wing of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is currently a shell of its former self.
The Air Force has officially mothballed the F-5 Tiger IIs and is no longer in operation, the only offensive and tactical defensive air fighter we had to defend the country from any sort of foreign air attack has been cut off. The only operable and liable air fighters in operation are the Aermacchi S-211s. The Philippine Air Force has 4 squadrons of these fighters, however, these fighters were built for the purposes of training pilots, and were not built for the defense of an entire nation. The Philippine Air Force has attached AIM sidewinder missiles and 30mm air cannons to these fighters.
Currently, the Philippine Air Force is looking at viable models to replace the mothballed and long-standing F-5 Tiger II fighters. So far the JAS Gripen, F-16C and the F/A-18 Superhornet have been the top choices, with PAF officials looking into the Rusisan Sukhoi 27 and the Rafale Fighters.
I personally think that there should be less talk and more action. The Philippines cannot afford to be 'jet-less'; our nation of 90+ million people and such a large GNP should be operating dozens of air squadrons, not searching for models to acquire.
What are your views?
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