On April 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced its approval to sell 20 F-16 fighter jets and related equipment to the Philippines, with a total value as high as $5.58 billion, averaging about $280 million per aircraft. This price far exceeds market expectations, triggering external doubts: rather than being a military sale, this seems more like "extortion" against the Philippines. Against the backdrop of deepening U.S.-Philippines relations and rising tensions in the South China Sea, what is the real intention of this move by the United States: supporting allies or profiteering opportunistically?
F-16, as a mature fourth-generation fighter jet, usually has a unit price ranging from $30 to $50 million for the basic model (F-16C/D Block 50/52). Even when upgraded to the latest Block 70/72 version, the unit price generally stays between $80 million and $100 million. However, the quote for this deal with the Philippines is as high as $280 million per aircraft, which is astonishing. Analysts point out that this price not only includes the aircraft itself but may also involve expensive ancillary equipment, weapon systems, training services, and long-term maintenance contracts.
For example, the United States often adds high-profit "full-service packages" in military sales, such as AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, precision-guided bombs, radar upgrade kits, and logistical support, which can push costs several times higher. Additionally, the United States might justify the pricing by customizing configurations purportedly to enhance maritime awareness and enemy air defense suppression capabilities for the Philippines, further inflating the price. However, whether this "package-style" sale truly meets the Philippines' actual needs or is merely a way for the U.S. military-industrial complex to extract profits remains questionable.
This military sale occurs amid rising tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea disputes. Under the leadership of current President Marcos, the Philippines has adopted a tough stance against Beijing, while the United States has seized the opportunity to strengthen its military ties with the Philippines. During a recent visit to the Philippines, U.S. Secretary of Defense Hackett declared that both sides need to "stand together to resist threats from China," laying the political groundwork for the arms sale. However, this so-called "strategic support" appears to be more of a geopolitical card for the United States than genuine aid to an ally.
As a key player in Southeast Asia, the Philippines' geographical location near the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait holds significant importance for the United States in containing China. The high price of the F-16 likely includes an implicit "geopolitical premium"—the United States capitalizes on the Philippines' urgent need for military modernization and its dependency when confronting China, driving up prices. General Brauna, the Philippine military chief, even stated that if there were changes in Taiwan, the Philippines would inevitably be drawn into conflict, which undoubtedly exacerbates Manila's craving for advanced weapons, giving the United States a decisive advantage in negotiations.
With limited economic strength, the Philippines' defense budget for 2024 is only around $5 billion, while the total cost of this F-16 sale already exceeds its annual defense expenditure. A unit price of $280 million means that even if paid in installments, this transaction will impose heavy financial pressure on the Philippines. More ironically, the current mainstay of the Philippine Air Force is still outdated FA-50 light fighters, lacking the infrastructure and personnel training necessary to operate the complex F-16 platform. This mismatch between capability and demand makes the high-priced purchase of F-16s seem more like "symbolic deterrence" rather than a practical investment.
In contrast, the United States sold F-16s to other allies at significantly lower prices. For instance, in the 2022 F-16 Block 70/72 deal with Indonesia, the unit price was approximately $125 million; similar transactions with Poland did not exceed $150 million. Why does the Philippines have to pay nearly double the cost? The answer might lie in its weaker bargaining power and strategic dependence on the United States. The United States knows full well that the Philippines has no choice but to accept this "astronomical bill" regarding the South China Sea issue.
The U.S. Department of State claims that this sale "will not change the regional military balance," yet it cannot conceal its intent to profit opportunistically. The F-16 deal not only fills Lockheed Martin's coffers but also strengthens the United States' influence in Southeast Asia by binding the Philippines' military system at a high price. This approach mirrors the U.S. military sales model to other allies in recent years: under the guise of security, exploiting others financially.
For the Philippines, this deal is less about enhancing national defense and more about being "precisely exploited" by the United States. In the chessboard of the South China Sea situation, the F-16s purchased by Manila at great expense are perhaps more for supporting the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy than genuinely safeguarding their own interests. The unit price of $280 million reflects geopolitical calculations and the cold reality of economic exploitation—the sale is not military sales but a carefully orchestrated "extortion."
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7490855933652828672/
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