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December 10, 2025 | 7:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Italian aerospace and defense firm Leonardo said that it reaffirms its commitment to the Philippines' long-term capability development and modernization goals.
In a statement on Tuesday, December 9, the Italian-based firm said that it will invest in "technologies, skills, and systems" designed to improve a "future-ready" Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
"Leonardo, as part of Eurofighter Consortium, stands ready to support the Philippines as it moves toward a more capable, self-reliant, and unmatched deterrence posture," Tommaso Pani, SVP Marketing and Sales, Aeronautics division of Leonardo, said in a statement.
"Our approach is anchored on long-term partnership built not only on trusted performance, but also on meaningful investments in local capability, skills development, and national growth," he added.
Capable aircraft. The Philippines needs more "capable" fighter aircraft to bolster its national defense and territorial security, an official from Leonardo said in an interview with Philstar.com on December 3.
Enrico Fossatti, Leonardo's Head of Eurofighter Export Campaigns for marketing and sales, said that a multi-role fighter aircraft is needed for the air force to be "capable of doing things by themselves."
When asked what fighter is more suited for the Philippines, Fossatti said that it is the Eurofighter Typhoon, a multi-role fighter plane developed by Leonardo along with other defense firms.
Aside from being a reliable aircraft, citing anecdotes from other countries' air forces, Fossatti explained that it has lower maintenance costs.
"Air Forces show that the aircraft is very reliable. Engines are very very good," he said.
"So this reduces the maintenance cost, reduces the number of people, renew reduces the number of spares that you need," he added.
It is also the best aircraft to show "muscle" as a deterrence against possible threats through patrolling the country's borders.
"If you have a if you have a Eurofighter over the border, nobody will enter because it is not only when you are over the border, thanks to the powerful radar, we can see far beyond the border," he said.
In 2023, the Eurofighter consortium tapped Leonardo to offer the fighter aircraft to the Philippine government after the Philippine Air Force issued a "Request for Information" about the aircraft, according to media reports.
Defending the Philippines is defending Europe. According to Fossatti, the effort to defend the Philippines, in the eyes of their European partners, is not solely about protecting the Philippines but is also essential to defending Europe itself.
He explained that the South China Sea is a vital global trade route, accounting for approximately 25% of international commerce.
Due to this, Fossatti stated that when the Philippines defends its borders in the region, it is not only protecting its own interests but also defending European interests, as a lack of defense would negatively impact global trade.
"Defending the Philippines, this is from our eyes from Europe. It's not only defending the Philippines, but it's also defending Europe," he said.
