Leonardo Group has Officially Submitted the EF-2000 Typhoon Fighter Jet to the Philippine Air Force for Tender

Thedjancuk
February 21, 2026
21 Februari 2026

EF-2000 Typhoon fighter jet (image: Leonardo)
TSAMTO -- Italy's Leonardo Group has officially offered the EF-2000 Typhoon fighter to the Philippine Air Force (PAF) as part of the tender for the procurement of multirole fighters under the MRF (Multi Role Fighter) program.

The proposal calls for the delivery of 32 aircraft in the latest Tranche 5 configuration. The package includes technology transfer, the establishment of a regional MRO center, a training program, and structured financing through Italy's state-owned export credit agency (SACE).

The procurement was initiated as part of the transition to the Horizon-3 planning phase of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program. The goal is to restore the air defense and air superiority capabilities lost following the retirement of the F-5A/B in 2005. The currently operational FA-50PH light combat aircraft are recognized as limited in radar range, endurance, and electronic warfare capabilities compared to heavier twin-engine platforms.

As a reminder, in September 2025, the Leonardo Group confirmed the possibility of supplying the Philippine Air Force with 32 Tranche 5 Typhoon fighters along with a full complement of weapons, including, among other things, Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles, ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missiles, Brimstone air-to-ground missiles, and Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

Leonardo's proposal competes with the F-16V Block 70/72 Viper (USA) and the JAS-39E/F Gripen (Sweden). The EF-2000 Typhoon is positioned as the most powerful twin-engine platform in the tender, surpassing its competitors in combat load and climb rate. With the procurement of 32 aircraft, the total cost of the program, including armament and infrastructure, could exceed $5-6 billion.

On April 1, 2025, the US State Department approved the potential sale to the Philippines of 16 F-16C Block 70/72 fighter jets, four F-16D Block 70/72 aircraft, and other related equipment and services under the Foreign Military Sales program. The total value of the order was stated to be $5.58 billion. However, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez later acknowledged that the government is still seeking funding to purchase the American aircraft.

At the end of October 2025, the Philippine authorities began negotiations with the South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) on the acquisition of KF-21 Boramae multirole fighters.



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