In what marked a significant announcement for the institution’s future, the Philippine Air Force recently stated that it is evaluating the possibility of acquiring Mitsubishi F-2 aircraft currently in service with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. This would allow the Philippines to renew and strengthen its own fighter fleet, which currently lacks such assets. The potential purchase aligns with the so-called Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), which outlines the plans and requirements for defending Philippine territory, whose primary threat stems from maritime border disputes with China.
The announcement was made by the current commander of the Philippine Air Force, Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura, during a press conference with local media at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Referring to the possible purchase of the F-2 aircraft by the institution, he stated: “The Mitsubishi fighters and Japanese-made multirole aircraft are also platforms with great potential (…) We are analyzing all options that fit our operational doctrine, and the Japanese-made F-2 aircraft is being seriously considered in that process.”
It is worth noting that the F-2 fighters are considered fourth-generation aircraft, derived from the American F-16, but incorporating a wide array of modifications requested by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to meet its specific requirements. The Japanese design features wings that are up to 25% larger than its American counterpart, uses composite materials to reduce radar cross-section (RCS), and is equipped with J/APG-1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, making it one of the pioneers with such capabilities.
The aircraft also stands out for the range of weaponry it can carry for its missions, produced by Japan’s advanced defense industry and NATO-aligned partners. Notably, the F-2 is capable of carrying ASM-3 supersonic anti-ship missiles, providing it with naval strike capabilities not available on all F-16 variants. This is a critical consideration, given the ongoing territorial dispute with China over the South China Sea.
Despite the official statement from Lieutenant General Cordura, the potential acquisition raises several questions regarding its viability. Broadly, these concerns center on three main points: the aircraft is no longer in production and would need to be released from current service by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force; its replacement with sixth-generation fighters appears to be still years away; and Japan’s strict legislation regarding arms exports presents significant legal hurdles.
Regarding the first point, the last F-2 produced by Mitsubishi in collaboration with Lockheed Martin was delivered to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in 2011, concluding a production run that began in the early 2000s. That final aircraft, delivered during a ceremony at the Komaki Minami plant of Nagoya Aerospace Systems Works, brought the fleet to 98 units (including prototypes) and closed the production line—more than a decade ago—creating a major obstacle to any potential sale to the Philippines.
As for the second point, Japan’s sixth-generation replacement fighter (known domestically as the F-3 Reppu) is still in development, with no definitive timeline for entry into active service. The program has already made headlines due to major disagreements among the partner nations, particularly between Italy—accusing the UK of not fully sharing advanced technologies—and the controversial possibility of Saudi Arabia joining the program, which has raised concerns in London over Riyadh’s technical capability to contribute meaningfully.
Lastly, Japan has long held a strict legal stance on arms exports, rooted in its pacifist post-World War II constitution. Historically, the so-called “Three Principles” restricted arms exports to non-communist countries, those under UN sanctions, or those involved in active conflicts. In more recent years, Tokyo has implemented some concrete changes allowing the export of domestically produced equipment under foreign license back to its country of origin, spare parts and tools to partner nations in joint development projects, and weapon systems limited to missions such as rescue, transport, early warning, surveillance, and mine-clearing—none of which would apply to the F-2.
Finally, beyond the complications of the yet-undefined Japanese fighter deal, it is worth noting that the Philippines already finalized the purchase of a dozen FA-50 light fighters from South Korea’s KAI earlier this month. This major agreement, worth around $700 million, will provide the Philippine Air Force with the Block 20 variant of the platform, with deliveries expected between 2026 and 2030.
*Images used for illustrative purposes only.
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