F-16 sales: A case study of the US military-industrial complex modus

THE planned $5.6-billion sale of United States’ F-16 to the Philippines reveals that the US’ demonization of China, its stoking of Asia’s fears over the rising superpower, isn’t just for some abstract ideological reason nor for hegemonic power. The US is the richest and most powerful capitalist country, and its geopolitical moves almost always for profits of its industrial complex. Following is its modus operandi.

Starting 2009, and disguised as the Obama’s Pivot to Asia, the US launched a mammoth propaganda campaign against China using the disputed Spratly Islands as its means of portraying it as a “bully,” even if the superpower has been merely defending its centuries-old sovereignty claims over the four island groups in the South China Sea against the Philippines’ weaker claim that these fall within its exclusive economic zone.

The US push to sell us F-16s is clearly the American military-industrial complex’s business aim for such demonization: To frighten the Philippines that it needs the F-16 fighter jets produced since the 1980s by one of the biggest firms in the military-industrial complex, Lockheed Martin. While not naming China categorically, the US claimed that the jets will be a deterrent to any aggressive foreign country and will improve the security of a strategic partner, the Philippines, “an important force for political stability in Southeast Asia,” it says.

That’s a total hogwash. The 20 jets won’t certainly frighten China with its 3,300 fighter jets and 700 medium- and intermediate-range missiles based in Hainan Island and the Spratly Islands’ base. These would reach the F-16s’ hangers in 30 minutes, and we don’t have an anti-missile defense system. The US, in fact, is cruelly setting up these 20 jets as the first targets of Chinese weapons in a case of conflict in the South China Sea.

Indeed, out of the 4,620 F-16s Lockheed has produced (including those by General Dynamics before its merger) since the 1980s, 2,462, or 53 percent, were sold to foreign governments, notably to NATO countries and former USSR nations frightened by the US over Russia, South Korea, Israel, and of course, Ukraine, Israel and Egypt. The purchase by these latter three countries were required as part of the US huge military aid to these countries.

19 countries

Out of the 19 countries that have bought F-16 jets, all were upper- or middle-income economies except Ukraine, Egypt, Pakistan and Morocco. The purchases of these four lower-income economies were funded by US military aid (grants) which illustrates how the US military-industrial complex works: Taxpayers’ money fund the purchases of foreign governments of expensive weapons systems produced by American industries.

That is, rich countries can afford to buy the F-16s. We’re still poor, officially a lower-middle-income country. We just can’t afford it, just as, say, a lower-level manager would be stupid to buy a Ferrari to commute to work.

Our purchase of the 20 F-16s will be entirely borne by us taxpayers, either in the form of allocations in the budget or loans, which still would be paid by us.

In addition to this $5.6-billion “sticker” price, we will have to spend even more than that for the jets to be combat-ready, or else these will be entirely useless, and will just rust in their hangars. I asked the artificial intelligence software Grok to research how much these additional costs would be. Its findings:

“– Annual upkeep: Combining maintenance, fuel, personnel and logistics, yearly costs could range from $150 million to $250 million for a fleet of 20 F-16s.

“– One-time costs: Infrastructure and initial training could add $250 million to $600 million upfront.

“– Long-term upgrades: Modernization over 20 to 30 years might total $400 million to $600 million.

“Overall, beyond the $5.6 billion purchase price, the Philippines could spend an additional $4 billion to $7 billion over 20 years on upkeep, operation and support for the F-16 fleet. These costs reflect the significant financial commitment required to sustain an advanced fighter jet program.”

Pilot

Ado Paglinawan in an article in Asian Century quoted a Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilot explaining how such costs would be incurred:

“Take it from PAF Captain Medin Velasco of PMA Class 1072, one of our F-5 pilots who I’m quoting verbatim.

“‘In light of the recent proposal to acquire approximately 20 F-16 fighter jets to enhance the Philippine Air Force’s operational capabilities, I feel compelled to express my serious concerns regarding the practicality and sustainability of this acquisition.

“While the intention to strengthen our air power is commendable, history has shown that the procurement of sophisticated and expensive military equipment without a corresponding investment in necessary support systems leads to disappointing and costly outcomes.

“First and foremost, acquiring these advanced aircraft requires far more than just the initial purchase.

“It demands a comprehensive framework of financial backing, moral commitment and strategic planning to achieve the desired air power capabilities. Unfortunately, the Philippine government has repeatedly fallen short in this regard, neglecting the essential elements that make such acquisitions effective.

“The most pressing concern is the lack of adequate training for maintenance crews and, most importantly, the pilots who will operate these highly sophisticated fighter jets. During my recent assessments, I found that current pilots of the Philippine Air Force average only five flight hours per month.

“This limited experience is grossly insufficient to maintain proficiency, develop combat readiness, or even guarantee basic operational safety. Expecting pilots to engage in warfare with such minimal training is tantamount to sending them on a suicidal mission.

Parts

“Furthermore, the issue of parts availability and logistical support remains a critical vulnerability. During my tenure with the 5th Fighter Wing as an F-5 pilot, we constantly found ourselves begging for parts from the United States Air Force in Clark just to keep our aircraft operational.

“This erratic supply chain has persisted over the years, leaving our aircraft grounded for extended periods, unable to fulfill their intended missions. Without a consistent and reliable parts support system, the acquisition of these F-16s will only add to the fleet of underutilized assets.

“It is essential to recognize that the acquisition of advanced fighter jets is only one part of a much larger equation. To achieve true air power capability, the government must provide:

“1. Proper and consistent funding for comprehensive training programs for pilots and maintenance personnel.

“2. Establishment of reliable supply chains and logistical support systems to ensure consistent availability of parts and maintenance services.

“3. Strategic planning and sustained commitment to maintain these aircraft to their maximum potential.

“Without addressing these fundamental issues, the acquisition of 20 F-16s will only serve as an expensive display of misguided priorities and inadequate strategic planning.

“I strongly urge the government to consider these critical factors before proceeding with this acquisition, as failure to do so will ultimately compromise our air defense capabilities rather than enhance them.'”

Bribes

The only logical reason for us to buy F-16s is that the “signing authorities” will be able to generate hundreds of millions of bribe money in the purchase. Lockheed Martin has, in fact, been caught several times doing that.

This is the second time actually that the US has tried to sell us F-16s. Then-president Rodrigo Duterte in 2021 rejected such an offer, adding to the US wrath against him that it got its “human rights” operatives to pursue the suit against him at the International Criminal Court that claimed that his intense police operations against illegal drugs were “crimes against humanity.”

Spend the $5.6 billion instead to strengthen our fortifications at islands we occupy at the Spratlys and station battle-ready, well-armed battalions there to defend these from invaders, may they be Chinese, Vietnamese or even Taiwanese. Buy transport planes to quickly send reinforcements.

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F-16 sales: A case study of the US military-industrial complex modus
Source: Breaking News PH