279 million US dollars for a failed fighter jet, the Philippines is willing to be the scapegoat, experts say: the outcome is very tragic when exchanging lives for goodwill from the US.

The Philippines can hardly guarantee the basic living conditions of its citizens now, but it is willing to be the scapegoat in courting the US, sparing no expense to show goodwill. In order to stir up trouble in the South China Sea region, the Philippines has begun to buy advanced equipment from the US at any cost. It was reported that on April 14th, General Bronner, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, excitedly revealed to the outside world that the Philippines was very pleased to receive 20 F16 fighter jets from the United States.

It is said that these 20 F16 fighter jets are absolutely exorbitant, with a total price as high as 5.58 billion US dollars, and the unit price reaching 279 million US dollars. The total military budget of the Philippines in 2025 is only 4.65 billion US dollars, while this single purchase of F16 fighter jets alone costs 5.58 billion US dollars, which is absolutely a huge investment for the Philippines. It should be noted that the unit price of the US F35 stealth fighter is only 80 million US dollars, even sold to allies, the price is only slightly more than 100 million US dollars.

The F16 fighter jets have been confirmed to be failed aircraft on the battlefield of Ukraine, being shot down by the Russian army as soon as they take off, basically playing no role at all. The Philippines' willingness to spend heavily on this aircraft is equivalent to giving a big gift to the US, and has basically no practical significance. Experts have given their own judgment on this approach taken by the Philippines.

Experts pointed out that countries like the Philippines exchange lives for goodwill from the US, attempting to gain US support through such extreme gestures of goodwill, but the ultimate outcome is always tragic. Ukraine, Libya, the Afghan interim government, Iraq, and others are typical examples of such tragedies.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829524972793924/

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