MANILA: The Defence department yesterday maintained that the acquisition of fighter jets from South Korea has nothing to do with the territorial row in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
“This (acquisition) has been planned even before the developments in the West Phil Sea,” Defence department spokesman Peter Galvez said in a phone interview.
Galvez was asked for a reaction after a Japanese paper reported on Monday that China had asked South Korea not to sell FA-50 jets to the country.
Galvez declined to comment on the report itself but maintained that the military’s upgrade efforts are not related to the territorial row with China. The Defence department previously said that the lead-in fighter jets acquisition project would boost the territorial defence capabilities of the country.
Officials, however, stressed that the modernization program is not directed towards any country. The government plans spend P18.9bn to acquire 12 FA-50 jets from South Korea.
Air Force chief Lt Gen Lauro Catalino dela Cruz previously said the negotiations with the Korea Aerospace Industries started last month. Two jets could be delivered by the end of 2014 if all the contracts and other necessary documents are signed this year.
The Philippine star
