Air Force crash revives debate on Philippine military’s modernisation limits

Budget constraints mean the air force has had to repeatedly use aircraft for missions beyond their intended roles, analysts say

The collision of two Philippine Air Force training aircraft that killed four pilots has raised questions about whether the service’s training, maintenance and safety systems can keep pace with Manila’s ambitions to acquire more advanced combat aircraft.

The crash, which occurred during a fly-by rehearsal at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City, Batangas province, south of Manila, on Friday has renewed calls for a comprehensive review of the Air Force’s ageing fleet, pilot instruction, maintenance practices and operational safety.

The air force temporarily grounded all SF-260 aircraft as a precautionary safety measure.

Defence chief Gilberto Teodoro Jnr, acting on an order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, called for an investigation into the incident, noting that it was the third such occurrence since 2023 and raising the possibility of a systemic problem.