The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is open to acquiring Japanese fighter jets in the future, citing the assets’ potential to enhance the country’s air capabilities.

While Japan’s Mitsubishi fighters are promising, PAF chief LtGen. Arthur Cordura emphasized that their acquisition will depend on how effectively they align with the Philippines’ broader defense strategy, specifically the assets’ contributions to the country’s implementation of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC).  

“Mitsubishi fighters, the Japanese-made multi-roles (fighter aircraft), are also very potential platforms. The selection for the multi-role will depend upon the appreciation of the department in terms of how these are effectively incorporated in the whole CADC,” Cordura told reporters in a press conference at the PAF headquarters, Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Tuesday.

“So it does not discount later, perhaps, platforms coming also from Japan if they will serve the purpose of our territorial defense plan,” he continued.  

Cordura said the Japan-made MRFs are among the initial options considered in the PAF’s modernization.

“These are among those initially considered given the nature of warfare that we are anticipating to be engaged in, that is, projection more asymmetric,” he noted.

He also emphasized that the PAF is taking budget considerations into account for the potential purchase of these multi-role fighters.