US defense technology company Lockheed Martin plans to open an innovation center and a repair facility in the Philippines that will employ local talent as part of its F-16 Block 70 package offer to the Department of National Defense (DND).
Jess Koloni, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company’s capture director for the integrated fighter group, said the F-16 Block 70 package would support the country’s self-reliant defense posture. This includes training Filipino technicians, enabling in-country maintenance and fostering aerospace careers through partnerships with universities and industry.
Aimee Burnett, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company’s vice president for integrated fighter group business development, said the US government is expected to make the formal offer for the F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines soon. The deal is said to be worth more than $5.5 billion.
Koloni said the planned innovation center, a concept first developed in Abu Dhabi a decade ago, would serve as a hub for workforce development programs, aerospace engineering, space fundamentals training, internship programs and robotics competitions.
“We are looking to bring that concept here to the Philippines,” Koloni told a news briefing at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City Wednesday.
“We have been talking with the DND, BOI [Board of Investments] and other organizations in the Philippines. We are soliciting feedback on where that center should go. It is a Philippine center for the Filipino people, used by Filipinos,” she said.
A repair facility is also being planned to support the existing C-130 fleet and the Philippine government’s planned acquisition of F-16 aircraft.
“Repair capability is something we are looking to bring uniquely to the Philippines. We signed an MOU last night. That is the building blocks for a longer-term maintenance, repair and overhaul [MRO] facility in this country. That will focus on component repair for the existing platform that is C130 and then the F16. Things like landing gear, other aspects of the aircraft, will stay in the country,” said Koloni.
She said the facility would service the entire C-130 fleet for the Philippine Air Force and would also cater to a prospective 20 F-16 Block 70 aircraft.
Koloni said the Philippines could become an MRO hub for Lockheed Martin in the Asian region. “While the whole goal of the MRO is to provide independent, self-reliant capability here, it could be looked at as a growth opportunity for regional support in the future,” she said, noting there are “about 500 F-16 based in the Asia-Pacific region.” She said globally, there are 3,100 F-16 aircraft.
Burnett said the company’s partnership with the Philippines extends beyond military capability.
“As we collaborate with the industry, we aim to deliver social and economic value by cultivating talent, creating jobs and driving innovation that advances the domestic defense sector and supports holistic progress,” Burnett said.
Burnett described the F-16 Block 70 as the “most advanced fourth-generation fighter.” She said Lockheed Martin is “confident it can help the Philippines build a sustainable airpower ecosystem, driven by Filipino talent and supported by local industry, while delivering advanced capabilities needed to address its most pressing defense requirements.”
She noted that the F-16 integrates well with the Philippine Air Force’s current FA-50 fleet.
William Blair, Lockheed Martin Global Inc.’s regional chief executive for Asia and India, cited the Philippines’ importance as a partner.
“The Philippines is a very important partner in a multilateral framework. We believe that the F-16 is a very important part of that story. It is not just about defense, but also about building a stronger, more prosperous nation that is capable of meeting challenges in today’s environment,” Blair said.
“The Philippines is very important today more than ever, in the most important region in the most important time in terms of creating a level of peaceful strength and deterrence,” he said.
