US Approves $5.58 Bn Fighter Jet Sale To Philippines

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (left) with his Philippines counterpart Gilberto Teodoro during a press conference in Manila on March 28 where Hegseth said the two countries must stand "shoulder to shoulder" in the face of China (Credit: AFP)

The United States said Tuesday it has approved the possible sale of $5.58 billion in F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, as Washington backs its ally in rising tensions over China.

The State Department said it was green-lighting a sale that includes 20 F-16 jets and related equipment to the Philippines, a treaty-bound ally of the United States.