Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Philippines’ vast territory requires it to have a large fleet of “multi-role fighters” (MRFs) to fully protect it from hostile intruders.

“May minimum impact quantity kung mag-order ka. Hindi naman puedeng umorder ka ngayon ng konti, susunod mo ng ilan taon, dahil ang presyo nung ay tritriple. May minimum force size na kailangan (There is a so-called minimum impact quantity needed if you are ordering such assets. You cannot contract for a few, and order again a few years later as the price for this kind of equipment will triple),” he said in an exclusive interview with select reporters Tuesday.

And for the Philippines, a minimum force requirement of 40 MRFs is needed, although Teodoro said the number is still small.

“Ang force size na hinihingi namin ay 40 pero kung titingnan niyo, maliit pa din yun (The force size we are asking is 40 but if you look at it, it still small,” he said, noting that other countries have MRF force size orders ranging from 100 to 220 units.

Asked if he is okay with increasing this proposal to 75 MRFs, which is equivalent to an air wing, Teodoro said he is amenable to this.

“Sana. Ang Thailand (umorder ng) 100, nagdagdag pa ata ng 50 (I hope so. Thailand, I think, ordered 100 and added another 50),” he said.

Teodoro vowed to expedite the program if and when funding is approved and released for a “sufficient quantity” of MRFs.

“Kung i-release sa akin iyong pera, mabilis pa yan sa alas-kuwatro (Once the funds are released, that will be done quickly),” he said.

Earlier, Teodoro said he wants the proposed MRF program to proceed as a full package with “airborne warning and control system” (AWACS) and aerial tankers for mid-air refueling platforms.

Having these platforms, he said, would ensure that the MRF program, once acquisition is completed, is “operational as a force package.”

AWACS are generally large aircraft fitted with airborne radars capable of early warning and detecting aircraft, ships, vehicles, and missiles at long range.

It is also used to direct friendly fighter and attack aircraft regarding specific targets and serve airborne radar pickets or surveillance assets.

Aside from these aircraft, Teodoro said, the Philippines also needs tanker aircraft for its proposed MRFs for sustainment purposes, as this capability will extend the aircraft’s range.

Aerial tankers are large aircraft capable of transferring fuel to fighter and attack aircraft through a probe-and-drogue system. (PNA)