The Philippine Air Force’s long-delayed Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) program is once again drifting in uncertainty. Recent chatter among defense circles led by MaxDefense Philippines claims that Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. himself confirmed that no MRF contract will be signed this year.
If true, this is yet another blow to the country’s decades-long effort to build credible air defense. But even if not officially confirmed, the silence from both the Department of National Defense (DND) and PAF speaks volumes.
A Modernization Story on Repeat
The MRF program isn’t new it’s been the symbol of the PAF’s modernization dream for nearly two decades. From the time the F-5A Freedom Fighters retired in 2005, the Air Force has struggled to fill the gap for a true interceptor.
Now, after years of feasibility studies, negotiations, and shifting shortlists (from the Saab Gripen C/D to the F-16 Block 70/72), the program remains just that a plan on paper.
What the “No Signing” Means
If Teodoro’s supposed statement before the Senate is accurate, then 2025 will close with no deal signed, no jets ordered, and no clear timeline moving forward.
The DND insists the MRF program is being reshaped as a “complete force package” including radar integration, air refueling, and early warning support. It’s a smart long-term vision, but in typical Philippine fashion, it may also be a polite way of saying, “We don’t have the funds yet.”
The Real Issue: Priorities and Politics
Money has always been the MRF program’s kryptonite.
The estimated cost around ₱60 to ₱80 billion is not impossible, yet each administration finds a reason to delay or “reassess.”
Meanwhile, neighboring countries like Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia continue upgrading or replacing their fleets. The Philippines, in contrast, remains dependent on its FA-50PHs, capable light fighters but not true air superiority machines.
In short: we’re always catching up, but never arriving.
What This Delay Reflects
The problem goes beyond defense procurement it’s a reflection of how the Philippines views security: reactive, budget-limited, and politically cautious.
Every modernization cycle restarts with big promises and ends with postponed targets. By the time one project is ready to proceed, leadership changes, priorities shift, and the cycle resets.
The Bigger Picture
To be fair, Teodoro’s “force package” approach makes sense strategically. The Air Force doesn’t just need planes it needs the infrastructure to support them. Radar networks, airbases, refueling tankers, and AWACS aircraft are vital if the MRFs are to matter.
But the question remains: can we afford to wait another five years?
In a region where airspace violations and gray-zone tactics are becoming the norm, delay can be as dangerous as inaction.
Editorial Takeaway
The Philippines’ MRF dream has always been more about symbolism than strategy a shiny badge of modernization that never seems to land.
Unless the government turns its defense talk into concrete funding and timelines, the Air Force will remain in what many analysts call “perpetual transition” always modernizing, but never modern.
Final Word
Whether the MRF contract is signed this year or not, one truth remains: Philippine air defense is running out of time.
The longer the delay, the more outdated the PAF becomes and the harder it will be to catch up when it finally decides to act.