The United States has approved the potential sale of 20 F-16 fighter jets to Manila, giving the key US ally in the Indo-Pacific a major upgrade to its air force just days after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to counter “China’s aggression.

WASHINGTON - The United States said on April 1 it has approved a sale of US$5.58 billion (S$7.5 billion) in F-16 fighter-jets to the Philippines, as Washington backs its ally in rising tensions over China.

The proposed acquisition of F-16 fighters would bolster Manila’s ability to defend its own assets in disputed parts of the South China Sea.