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Fri, Sep 30, 2005

Philippines Decommissions Last Jet Fighter

No More In The Works For At Least Six Years

The Philippines is about to decommission the last of its US-made F-5 fighters on Saturday, a move that will leave the Pacific nation without any credible air defense.

“These are the trade-offs we have to accept because of our defense priorities,” Philippines Air Force Major Augusto de la Pena told the French news service, AFP.

De la Pena said his country has no plans to purchase new fighter aircraft for at least the next six years. For now, the Philippines will use five Italian-made S211 trainers for air defense -- even though they're not equipped as fighters.

The Philippines received approximately 37 F-5s (file photo of type, above) from the US in a deal consummated in 1965. But the cost of maintaining its own air force proved too much for the small country. Most of those fighters were grounded in subsequent years. A later purchase of F-5s from South Korea filled the gap for a time, but those aircraft have reportedly also become worn out and unserviceable.

FMI: www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rp.html

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