By Robina Asido

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is considering the "potential" of Japanese-made multi-role fighter (MRF) aircraft as the military continues to build its credible deterrence amid growing tension in the West Philippine Sea.

Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, PAF commanding general, made his comment when asked in a press briefing on Tuesday, if the service would consider the procurement of Japanese jets for their future acquisition programs.

"Mitsubishi fighters, the Japanese made multi-roles, are very potential platforms," he said.

Cordura was referring to the Mitsubishi F-2, a multi-role fighter aircraft derived from the United States F-16 Fighting Falcon that was jointly developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Lockheed Martin for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).

The F-2 which is armed with 20mm cannon, air-to-air radar missile, air-to-air infrared missile, air-to-ship missile has a maximum speed of Mach 2.0

Cordura noted that "the selection for the multi-role will depend on the appreciation of the department (of National Defense)."

"In terms of how these are incorporated, this can be effectively incorporated in the whole CADC (Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept) concept, So it does not discount later, perhaps platforms coming also from Japan. If they will serve the purpose of our territorial defense plan," he added.

Aside from acquisition of 12 additional FA-50 Block 70 light combat jets, the Philippine government is also planning to procure MRF aircraft for the Philippine Air Force as part of the third horizon of the revised modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

When asked about the status of the MRF acquisition project, Cordura said the decision of the Department of National Defense is expected "very soon".

"It is already awaiting the decision from our department and it will be very soon. It will be very soon, yes," he said.

Cordura said aside from the additional FA-50 Block 70 light combat jets, the acquisition of MRF is also important to complete the integrated air defense system (IADS) of the Philippine Air Force which is needed to further protect the country's airspace.

"Multi-role capabilities are different from the FA-50 capabilities. Multi-role allows us a greater reach and endurance. Its communication system allows us better encryption. Its radar tracking is more enhanced. And the platform itself in terms of performance, in terms of projecting the force that we require, because it can carry a variety of air munitions that the FA-50 cannot," he said.

"When we conceive how a conflict scenario will arise, the MRF, the multi-role fighter, serves the purpose of completing the integrated air defense system. It will be able to communicate with the radar. The lead-in fighter like a FA-50 can actually do an interception maneuver but there are limitations because it's not a multi-role. So this explains why a multi-role capability is required in an Air Force organization," he added. DMS