The Philippines' plan to buy 12 more FA-50PH light attack fighter jets from South Korea to arm the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is being threatened by President Rodrigo Duterte's low regard for this aircraft, and his maniacal obsession with stamping out the Philippines' drug problem by the end of this year.

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In 2012, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) chose to purchase 12 two-seater TA-50 jets developed by the South Korean aerospace firm Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) along with the American aerospace company Lockheed Martin.

The 12 jets, which were renamed FA-50PH, were selected to fulfill the PAF's need for a light attack jet and a two-seat Lead-in Flight Trainer (LIFT), which is a fast but easy-to-fly jet intended to prepare Filipino pilots for jets such as the F-16 Flying Falcon the air force intends to purchase later on.  

The PAF doesn't consider the FA-50H an air-superiority fighter because it lacks the range to operate over the South China Sea. The fighters on order haven't been prepared to launch medium-and long-range air-to-air missiles essential against the Russian-made jets operated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force.

The more immediate combat role for the jet is ground-attack and anti-shipping since it can launch precision-guided munitions. 

The jet was also acquired to allow Filipino pilots to train in flying a modern jet fighter with sophisticated avionics and weapons systems. The PAF retired its last fighter jet -- the Northrop F-5 -- in 2005. The FA-50PH is the first step in a long-term plan to modernize the PAF.

This plan, and with it the Philippines' plan to mount a credible defense against China, is in jeopardy because of Duterte's mania for making hasty and misinformed comments without any apparent reference to data.

Duterte's opposition also endangers the Philippines' plans to acquire 12 more FA-50s provided for by the PAF Flight Plan 2028. The Philippines has now taken delivery of four FA-50s with the remaining eight jets to be delivered before the end of 2017. The first two TA-50s are being used for initial training and familiarization.

Duterte questioned the decision by former president Benigno Simeon Aquino to buy the FA-50PH jets from South Korea. The jets, costing a total of $406 million, are the most expensive acquisitions under the Philippine armed forces' modernization program.

The first two jets were delivered to the Philippines in November 2015. The 10 other jets are to arrive before the end of the year. The jets are the first new fighters to arm the badly equipped air force in 40 years.

Duterte, who was the former mayor of Davao City that was plagued by both the Muslim and communist insurgencies, said the jets can't be used to fight the rebels. In a fit of irrational pique, he said the two FA-50s delivered to the Air Force can't challenge China. The jets are only good for ceremonial fly-bys, said the uncomprehending Duterte.

"We only have what two FA-50s? Why did you buy that?" asked Duterte, apparently ignorant of the 12 jets the Philippines bought.

TagsPhilippines, FA-50PH, South Korea, Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine Air Force, Korea Aerospace Industries, South China Sea, Benigno Simeon Aquino