More details on the US’ possible sale of F-16 Aircraft, Harpoon Missiles and AIM-9X Missiles to the Philippines

An F-16 Block 70/72, Illustration by Lockheed Martin

The United States (US) just approved the possible sale of F-16 Fighter Aircraft, Air-launched AGM-84 Harpoon Missiles and AIM-9X Sidewinder Missiles to the Philippines as announced thru their Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Website recently. 

‘F-16 Aircraft’

The Fighter Aircraft will be for 10 single-seat F-16C Block 70/72 and 2 F-16D Block 70/72, with Equipment, Weapons, etc. worth a total of Usd 2.43 billion (or Php 116.64 billion, assuming an Exchange Rate of Usd 1 = Php 48). 

Among the Equipment approved are: 
- 15 F100-PW-229EEP Engines or F110-GE-129D Engines
- 15 Improved Programmable Display Generators (iPDG)
- 15 AN/APG-83 Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Scalable Agile Beam Radars (SABR)
- 15 Modular Mission Computers 7000AH
- 15 LN-260 Embedded GPS/INS (EGI) with SAASM and PPS
- 15 Multifunctional Information Display System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS) Aircraft Terminals
- AN/ARC-238 Radios
- Advanced Identification Friend or Foe with Combined Interrogator Transponder and Mode 5
- Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems II (JHMCS II) or Scorpion Hybrid Optical-based Inertial Tacker (HobIT)
- Integrated Electronic Warfare Suite
- Electronic Combat International Security Assistance Program (ECISAP) Support
- AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser Systems (CMDS)
- Joint Mission Planning Systems (JMPS) or equivalent
- Test Equipment
- Night Vision Devices (NVD) and Support Equipment and Spares
- Secure Communications
- Cryptographic Equipment
- Aircraft and Personnel Support and Test Equipment
- Integration and Test
- Fuel Tanks, and attached Hardware
- Travel Pods
- Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory
- Calibration
- Simulators
- Repair and Return Services
- Maps, Publications, and Technical Documentation
- Studies and Surveys
- Classified / Unclassified Software and Software Support
- Personnel Training and Training Equipment
- Facilities and Facility Management
- Design and/or Construction Services
- U.S. Government and Contractor Engineering
- Technical and Logistics Support Services

Among the Weapons, Launchers, Training Rounds, etc. approved are: 
- 24 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) AIM-120C-7/C-8 or equivalent
- 1 AIM-120 Guidance Section
- 48 LAU-129 Missile Launchers
- 3 KMU-572 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (LJDAM) Tail Kits
- 6 Mk-82 500 lb Bombs
- 6 Mk-82 500 lb Inert Training Bombs
- 6 FMU-152 or FMU-139 Fuzes
- 6 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP) or Litening ATP
- 15 M61A1 Vulcan Anti-Aircraft 20mm Guns
- AIM-120 CATM
- LAU-118 Launchers with Advanced Launcher Interface Computer (ALIC)
- LAU-117 Missile Launchers
- DSU-38 Precision Laser Guided Sensor for LJDAM
- Harpoon Interface Adapter Kits
- PGU-28 High Explosive Incendiary (HEI) Ammunition
- PGU-27 Ammunition Training Rounds (non HEI)
- Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD)
- ARD-446 Impulse Cartridges
- ARD-863 Impulse Cartridges
- BBU-36/B Impulse Cartridges
- BBU-35/B Impulse Cartridges
- MK-124 Smoke Flares
- MJU-7/B Flare Cartridge L463
- BRU‐61 Bomb Racks
- BRU‐57 Bomb Racks
- MAU‐12 Bomb Racks
- TER‐9A Triple Ejection Racks
- Weapons Support
- Missile Containers

‘AIM-9X’

As for the AIM-9X, it will be 24 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Missiles, 24 AIM-9X Block II Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs), 6 Tactical Guidance Units and 10 Captive Air Training Missile (CATM) Guidance Units worth a total of Usd 42.4 million (Php 2.035 billion). 

‘Harpoon’

As for the Harpoon, it will be 12 AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II Missiles and 2 ATM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II Exercise missiles worth a total of Usd 120 million (Php 5.76 billion).

‘My Notes - Harpoon’

The Harpoons costs around Usd 10 million (Php 480 million) each, and these Block II version is not even the latest version of the Missile. There is a Block II+ with improved Guidance System which I assume would be even more expensive. 

Of course these Harpoons are designed to damage or even sink Vessels which are at least 10 times more expensive than them. 

With only 12 Missiles, though, that means a maximum of 12 Vessels that can be destroyed, assuming a 100% hit rate and only 1 Missile fired per Enemy Vessel. 

Also only 1 Harpoon Missile can be allocated per Aircraft if all are assigned to carry it.  Of course we can always buy more later.

‘My Notes - Sidewinder and AMRAAM’

With only 24 AIM-9X and AIM-120C Missiles for 12 F-16C/D Aircraft, that means only 2 AIM-9X and 2 AIM-120C live Missiles can be per Aircraft if all are to carry it. 

That’s also a maximum of only 48 Aircraft that can be destroyed assuming 100% hit rate and only 1 Missile fired per enemy Aircraft. But of course again we can always buy more later. 

It is much harder to determine the price of the AIM-9X from this approval since there are a lot of other Training Materials that came with it, but it seems to be around Usd 1 million (Php 48 million) per Missile. 

‘My Notes – AMRAAM Version’

The sale only approved the AIM-120C, not sure if that is what we asked for or what the US is willing to sell to us. There is a newer AIM-120D version which has a much longer range, and so far the US has only approved its sale to Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada. 

The AIM-120C-7/8 that the US approved to us are the latest versions of the AIM-120C. 

‘My Notes - F-16C Designation’

I’m not sure why the US used the designation “F-16C Block 70/72” instead of “F-16V”, it could mean that the F-16V designation only refers to the New Builds of the “Block 70/72” while the F-16C Block 70/72 designation refers to F-16C rebuilt to F-16V standard. 

If so, then this could mean that the Units will be F-16C from the US’ Stocks and rebuilt to F-16V standard. Anyway I expect this to be eventually cleared up if and when more information is released with this possible acquisition. 

SOURCES: 
* The Philippines - F-16 Block 70/72 Aircraft {Archived Link}
* The Philippines - AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles {Archived Link}
* The Philippines - AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Air Launched Block II Missiles {Archived Link}
* Search for AIM-120D at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Website {Archived Link}

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