Negotiations between Philippines and South Korea over the sale of 12 FA-50 jets have stalled over down payment and spare parts delivery schedule.
KAI has requested that Manila pay a 52 percent down payment but the law in Philippines only allows state agencies to pay a 15 percent down payment.
Both parties also could not agree on the delivery of spare parts.
[thumb]http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/12/02/1263420/dnd-no-consensus-yet-p18.9-b-fighter-jets-purchase[/thumb]
I feel for the Filipinos. China is eating their lunch right now. It wasn’t too long ago that they had a capable navy and an Air Force that was pumped up big time.
Sadly, after the Cold War, I suppose their leadership felt things were in an era where such things were no longer needed. (Plus, most likely, some negative feelings from the Marcos era.) I am sad the U.S. hasn’t done more to help the Filipinos in these areas.
I wish they’d picked up some Former USN ships cheap in the 1990s, or even in the last few years. I am sure Former US aircraft would also be doable. The question is budget (And I wish the US could help a bit there, too.) Filipino F-16s or F/A-18s would make for a pretty decent Air Force. A couple Perry class frigates and maybe a Spruance Destroyer or two could pump the Navy. However, such things take time, and a lot of the capacity that was there when the Cold War ended has been built down, and it is a matter of training up people and getting bases up and running, as much as getting new gear. I wish them luck and success with this. They are in a very tough neighborhood these days.