In recent decades, the Philippines has been targeted by the world's major aerospace industries as Manila is very focused on purchasing new combat aircraft.
The growing internal and external challenges that the country has been facing have led the Philippine government to initiate a gradual modernization of the armed forces. The defense procurement plan was divided into three phases over a period of approximately 10 years. It began in 2017 when Manila signed orders for six A-29 Super Tucano light attack/trainer aircraft and 12 FA-50 light fighter jets.
However, Filipino officials said FA-50 jets were introduced as an interim solution pending raising funds to purchase superior-class fighter aircraft, deemed indispensable for the defense of the national airspace. Read more here
