US Firm Okays F-16 Counter-Trade with PhilippinesA leading American firm has expressed it willingness to sign a counter-trade deal with the Philippine government for the purchase of F-16 fighter planes for its air force.Joseph Sclafani, executive managing director of Patt & Whitney, manufacturer of F-16 engines, said if the Philippine government would like a counter-trade deal for the purchase of F-16 planes, "my company is amenable to that deal," the Philippine News Agency reported Sunday. Sclafani is now in Manila to attend the 7th International Aviation, Maritime and Defense AMD 2001 Exposition. The F-16 multi-role fighter plane is said to be one of the fighter planes the Philippine Air Force would like to acquire to replace its aging F-5 aircraft. The air force bought 30 S-211 jet trainer aircraft from Italy through counter-trade in 1989. The Philippines paid Italy in kind such as ladies' underwear. |
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