WASHINGTON — The US Department of State has approved the potential sale of F-16 fighter jets, as well as Sidewinder and Harpoon missiles, to the Philippines in three separate deals with a combined value of more than $2.5 billion, the Pentagon said on Thursday.
The Philippines is looking for a new multirole fighter jet and is evaluating the F-16 and the SAAB Abs Gripen.
The announcement comes as the United States seeks to renew an agreement with the Philippines governing the presence of US troops in the country, which is critical to Washington’s strategy to counter ever-expanding Chinese activity in Asia.
Last week, the Philippines again suspended for another six …
Keep on reading: US OKs sale of F-16s, missiles to PH