A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies over Afghanistan, March 17, 2020. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft that delivers war- winning airpower to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lotz

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Monday it was looking into “all options” for its multi-role fighter aircraft acquisition.

AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said that the military needs multi-role fighter jets to enhance the country’s defense capabilities.

“Pinag-aaralan natin lahat ng options natin. Definitely, gusto nating bumili ng multi-role fighters kasi kailangan natin sa pagdepensa ng ating bansa, whether these are the F-16, the Gripen or whatever multi-role fighters,” Brawner said in a chance interview at Camp General Mateo Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal on Monday.

Earlier this month, the United States government approved the possible sale of $5.58 billion in F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines.

“We are happy that the US Congress approved the sale of 20 F-16s to us, pero wala pang final decision on this—decision ng AFP at ng ating pangulo,” Brawner said.

He said there was no final decision yet on which type of multi-role fighter aircraft the Philippines would purchase, adding that budget was a big consideration.

Meanwhile, the AFP chief noted that the acquisition of 12 more FA-50 lead-in trainer fighter jets was already in the pipeline.

“Sana po ay mapadali ang pag-acquire natin ng assets na ito dahil napakahalaga,” he said. “But as to the MRFs, we’re still in the process of determining which one we can get according to our fiscal space or how we can afford these platforms.”