The government’s plan to procure more fighter jets would strengthen the country’s defense posture, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Thursday.

In an ambush interview at the Palace, Bersamin welcomed the approval of the United States Department of a “possible” foreign military sale of 20 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines for approximately USD 5.58 billion.

He emphasized that the country’s plan to purchase US fighter jets is meant to strengthen the Philippines' defense capabilities, not to provoke or target any specific country.

“The details are still being worked out, but this is not aimed at any particular state. It is intended to strengthen our defensive posture,” Bersamin said. 

He, however, noted that the specifics for the planned acquisition of F-16 fighter jets are still being finalized.

“As far as the details are concerned, I have no awareness of that. But the principle of it, the Americans would give us the material for a defensive force, a defensive stance,” he said. 

In a statement issued on Wednesday (Manila time), the US Defense Cooperation Agency said the Philippine government has requested to procure 16 F-16C Block 70/72 fighter jets and four F-16D Block 70/72 aircraft.

It also noted that the required certification notifying Congress of this potential sale has already been submitted.

It also noted that the proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States “by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in Southeast Asia.”