Manila: The Philippine government has put its plans to acquire 20 F-16 fighter jets from the United States on hold, citing budget constraints, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez announced at a recent forum.

According to Philippines News Agency, Romualdez disclosed during the inaugural Manila Strategy Forum, organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies at Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Para±aque, that the purchase plan is suspended primarily due to funding issues. "We're still in discussion as far as that's concerned, but at the end of the day it all boils down to the money-the availability of the funds," Romualdez explained.

The Department of National Defense has indicated that the Philippine government will prioritize other needs over this significant expenditure at present. Previously, the Philippines had submitted a letter of intent to purchase 16 F-16C Block 70/72 fighter jets and four F-16D Block 70/72 aircraft from the US. The US Department of State had formally approved this potential foreign military sale in April, valuing it at approximately USD 5.58 billion.

Despite the hold on the fighter jet purchase, Romualdez emphasized that the Philippines remains committed to strengthening its land-based defense systems in collaboration with the US. "We will continue to pursue that- we're just waiting in Washington, D.C., what are the next steps that we'll be taking as far as that is concerned," he stated.

Romualdez expressed optimism that the Philippines would continue to receive funding from the US Congress to support this capacity-building effort. He mentioned that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is expected to meet with Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee in New York to discuss the modernization of the Armed Forces, highlighting its importance in the country's defense strategy.