MK socks the United States, on Oct. 10, 2020. The annual Wings Over Houston Airshow kicked off at the Ellington Airport on Saturday with thrilling aerial performances and displays. Visitors were asked to drive their cars to the show field and stay close to the cars during the show amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Lao Chengyue/Xinhua)" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2020/2020-10-11/1f2d273b-2bb7-46e8-bd93-9abd07fe0602.jpeg" />

An F-16 fighter jet performs at the air show in Houston, the United States, on Oct. 10, 2020. The annual Wings Over Houston Airshow kicked off at the Ellington Airport on Saturday with thrilling aerial performances and displays. Visitors were asked to drive their cars to the show field and stay close to the cars during the show amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Lao Chengyue/Xinhua)

The F-16 fighter jets that the Philippine government plans to procure from the US may be available for delivery starting next year at the soonest if it decides to avail of the offer, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said on Sunday, according to Philippine news website Inquirer.net on Monday.

A Chinese expert said on Monday that while the F-16 fighters could potentially enhance the Philippine Air Force's capabilities, the high cost and limited number involved in the potential purchase would make it difficult for them to have a significant impact in the region.

The US State Department last week approved the potential sale of 20 F-16C/D Block 70/72 fighters and munitions to the Philippines for an estimated cost of $5.58 billion, just several days after a visit by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Inquirer.net reported.

Romualdez said the offer came with a financing package that has yet to be discussed between the US and officials from the Department of National Defense and the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Inquirer.net reported.

The Philippines' current main active fighter jets are South Korea's FA-50 light combat aircraft, which already meets most of the country's defense needs. While the F-16 is an excellent fighter aircraft, its unit price in the US-proposed sale is clearly on the high side. Even if this quote may include long-term maintenance, upgrades, and spare parts, it would still be a significant financial burden for the Philippines, Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Monday.

Nevertheless, Wang said that the F-16 is a typical fourth-generation fighter, offering a significant upgrade over the FA-50, with capabilities in air superiority, ground attack, and maritime strike missions.

"However, it should be noted that the US imposes strict restrictions and conditions on exported fighters, supporting weapons, fire-control software, and other systems require additional purchases, potentially leaving the Philippines economically and operationally dependent on the US. Moreover, merely possessing fighter jets is not enough to form a complete combat capability. Pilot training and integration into operational systems are also essential." Wang said, pointing out uncertainties over if the F-16s could reach their intended goals if the Philippines actually decides to procure them.

Regarding the US' approval of the potential sale, CNN claimed on April 2 that the F-16s will give the Philippines a major upgrade to its air force. The report noted that the move came just days after Hegseth vowed to counter "China's aggression."

Regarding this, Wang said that while the potential enhancement of the Philippine Air Force's combat capabilities warrants attention from China, there is no need for excessive concern.

China holds a clear overall military advantage in the South China Sea, and a few F-16 fighters would hardly shift the balance. Moreover, China places greater emphasis on resolving disputes with the Philippines through consultations rather than relying on military strength, Wang said.

Philippine National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya sought to assure China that the planned acquisition is not intended as a threat to any nation and is merely part of the Philippines' efforts to modernize its military, Reuters reported on Thursday.

In response to a media inquiry about US State Department's approval of the possible sale of F-16 fighter jet to the Philippines, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on April 2 that China has made clear more than once its position on military and security cooperation between the Philippines and the US Defense or security cooperation between the Philippines and other countries should not target any third party or harm their interest, still less threaten regional peace and security or escalate tensions in the region. Who exactly is fueling the flames? Who exactly is instigating military confrontation? Who exactly is turning Asia into a "powder keg?" Regional countries are not blind, Guo added.