Italy’s Leonardo Offers Eurofighter Typhoon Fighter Jet to Philippines.

Leonardo confirmed that the Eurofighter Typhoon has been formally offered to the Philippine Air Force under a package that combines aircraft delivery, industrial cooperation, and structured financing, according to information published on February 17, 2026, by Max Montero on X. The offer sharpens competition in the Philippines' multi-role fighter program, a central element of its air defense modernization strategy.

Italian defense company Leonardo confirmed that it has formally offered the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet to the Philippine Air Force, according to information published February 17, 2026 by defense analyst Max Montderrio on X, ahead of the World Defense Show 2026 held February 8 to 12, 2026, in Saudi Arabia. The proposed package combines aircraft delivery with industrial cooperation and a structured financing solution tailored to Manila’s budgetary framework. Company officials acknowledged the bid faces what they described as really tough competition in the Philippines’ long-running multi-role fighter acquisition program, a procurement effort aimed at restoring credible air defense capability and strengthening deterrence in the Western Pacific.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Eurofighter Typhoon twin-engine multirole fighter designed for air superiority and precision strike missions, capable of Mach 2 speeds and equipped with advanced AESA radar and long-range weapons such as Meteor missile. (Picture source: Leonardo)

Leonardo’s proposal centers on 32 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets in the latest Tranche 5 configuration, positioning the offer at the platform's current highest production standard. For Manila, the package is structured not merely as an aircraft acquisition but as a long-term airpower partnership designed to restore a credible air defense capability after two decades without a dedicated interceptor fleet.

The Philippine Air Force requirement forms part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, particularly within the transition from Horizon 2 to Horizon 3 planning. Since retiring its Northrop F-5A/B Freedom Fighter fleet in 2005, the PAF has operated without a true air superiority platform. The introduction of the FA-50PH light combat aircraft restored supersonic operations. It provided limited air-to-air capability, yet the aircraft remains constrained in radar range, weapons load, endurance, and electronic warfare capacity compared to heavier twin-engine fighters. As tensions persist in the West Philippine Sea and airspace sovereignty becomes increasingly central to national security policy, Manila’s Multi-Role Fighter project has evolved into one of the country’s most strategically significant defense procurements.

A 32-aircraft acquisition would enable the PAF to establish sustained quick-reaction alert coverage across its archipelagic territory, build a structured pilot conversion and training pipeline, and maintain operational availability through balanced maintenance cycles. It would also provide credible beyond-visual-range engagement capability, maritime strike potential, and the ability to integrate into allied air defense networks, particularly with partners such as the United States.

The Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 5, sometimes informally referred to as Block 5 in export discussions, represents the most advanced iteration of the aircraft currently offered on the international market. It is built around the E-Scan Mk1 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, providing significantly improved detection range, multi-target tracking, and electronic attack resilience compared to earlier mechanically scanned arrays. The aircraft integrates an enhanced Defensive Aids Sub-System with digital electronic warfare capabilities designed to counter advanced surface-to-air and air-to-air threats. Powered by two Eurojet EJ200 turbofan engines, the Typhoon can exceed Mach 2 and maintain high thrust-to-weight ratios, enabling rapid climb and sustained supersonic performance without afterburner in certain profiles. Its sensor-fusion architecture combines radar, infrared search and track, and data-link inputs into a single tactical picture for the pilot. Weapons compatibility includes the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile, AMRAAM, IRIS-T, precision-guided bombs, and advanced stand-off munitions, allowing true multirole flexibility from air dominance to deep strike.

Beyond performance specifications, Leonardo’s offer to the Philippines reportedly includes an industrial cooperation framework to strengthen domestic aerospace capacity. While precise details remain undisclosed, such arrangements typically involve technology transfer, local maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities, and advanced training systems for pilots and ground crews. Including a structured financing solution is strategically important for Manila, as fiscal constraints have previously delayed fighter acquisition despite its recognized urgency.

Competition remains intense. The U.S. F-16 Block 70, equipped with the AN/APG-83 AESA radar and supported by a vast global logistics network, offers seamless interoperability under the Mutual Defense Treaty and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. Sweden’s JAS 39 Gripen continues to position itself as a cost-efficient, operationally flexible alternative emphasizing lower lifecycle costs and dispersed basing. Each contender carries not only technical advantages but also broader geopolitical implications tied to alliance structures and long-term sustainment partnerships.

Leonardo’s confirmation at WDS 2026 highlights Europe’s growing strategic outreach into the Indo-Pacific defense market. For the Eurofighter consortium, comprising Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain, securing the Philippine contract would reinforce the Typhoon’s export relevance while signaling Europe’s deeper engagement in Southeast Asian security affairs.

For the Philippines, the decision will shape the Philippine Air Force for the next generation. The selection will determine not only aircraft capability but also logistics architecture, training ecosystems, industrial development pathways, and the country’s broader strategic alignment in an increasingly contested regional environment where airpower has become central to deterrence credibility.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.