MANILA, Philippines, American defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin’s offer of F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft to the Philippines comes with the prospect of having an innovation hub for aerospace workforce development to support the country’s goal of a self-reliant defense industry.
Jess Koloini, director of business development at Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group, told the Inquirer during her recent trip to Manila that part of their tailored offer to the Philippines included the possible establishment of a facility similar to its Center for Innovation and Security Solutions in Abu Dhabi to help grow the readiness of the workforce needed in the country’s aerospace sector.
“It’s really meant to be a facility that brings together leaders from Philippine academia, leaders from technical institutions in the Philippines, with worldwide leaders from Lockheed Martin and other US institutions to do joint research and development,” she said.
“We’re looking at some scholarships for aerospace engineering types of programs and the innovation center would really be the hub for all of that. We’re looking at things like workforce development, aerospace education and training, collaborative research and development,” she added.
Last month, the US State Department approved a potential sale of 20 F-16 Block 70 multi-role aircraft to the Philippines worth $5.58 billion and Koloini said both governments were currently working on “a lot of final details.”
“We’re just really focused on providing the most cost-effective solution. The US government will ultimately present the package and the price to the Philippine government. I know they’re in talks about different financial arrangements, but those are our government-to-government discussions,” she said.
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