🇵🇭 菲律賓增購12架FA-50戰機，深化與韓防務合作 — 區域平衡中的台灣啟示

📰 2025年6月，菲律賓國防部與韓國航太工業公司（KAI）簽署價值約7億美元的合約，再度採購12架FA-50PH輕型戰機。這是繼2014年後的第二次採購，顯示菲律賓對該機型的高度信任與操作熟悉度。升級版FA-50PH預計於2030年前完成交付，具備AESA雷達、空中加油能力與多型空對空、空對地武器掛載功能。

該合約不僅強化菲律賓在南海空防的實力，更具備地緣戰略意涵。在區域安全緊張升高背景下，菲律賓積極透過多元防務合作強化其國防自主，對中國在南海行動的戰略牽制意涵也日益明顯。

對台灣而言，菲律賓的國防策略提供了寶貴參考：在美中對抗日趨激烈的印太區域中，透過與理念相近國家的軍事合作，台灣同樣可探索國防現代化與多元夥伴網絡，減緩對單一技術或來源的依賴。此外，考量菲律賓與台灣在第一島鏈的地緣鄰近性，雙方未來亦可在資訊共享、預警系統與人道支援方面建立合作機制，促進地區和平穩定。

🔍 三個觀察重點：

平衡中國南海影響力：菲律賓加強空軍戰力，意在強化主權維護與防空網絡，對中國在南海的灰區行動形成戰略壓力。
台灣的潛在合作模式參考：台灣可觀察並學習菲律賓如何運用多邊軍售與技術轉移策略來提升整體國防。
中台關係的間接影響：隨著菲律賓與美、韓深化軍事合作，第一島鏈防務網絡逐漸成形，對中共在區域的軍事佈局產生潛在制約，也為台灣提供更多戰略縱深。

🇬🇧 Philippines Orders 12 More FA-50 Jets from South Korea — Implications for Taiwan-China Regional Balance

📰 In June 2025, the Philippine Department of National Defense signed a $700 million deal with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the purchase of 12 upgraded FA-50PH fighter jets, marking a renewed push to modernize the country’s air force. These aircraft, equipped with AESA radar, aerial refueling, and advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, are scheduled for delivery by 2030.

Beyond enhancing the Philippines’ aerial defense—especially over the contested South China Sea—the move carries broader regional implications. It reinforces Manila’s commitment to diversifying its defense partnerships and counterbalancing Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.

For Taiwan, this development offers valuable lessons. In light of increasing tensions with China, Taiwan can look to the Philippines as a model of leveraging partnerships with like-minded democracies to improve its own deterrence. Taiwan and the Philippines also share geographic proximity within the first island chain, highlighting the importance of possible future cooperation in early warning systems, humanitarian aid, or defense data sharing to jointly promote regional peace and stability.

🔍 Three Key Observations:

A Strategic Signal to Beijing: The FA-50 order bolsters Manila’s ability to assert sovereignty and could act as a subtle counterweight to China’s growing activities in the South China Sea.
Model for Taiwan’s Defense Diversification: Taiwan may consider similar paths—acquiring proven platforms from trusted defense partners to reinforce its capabilities without over-reliance on any one country.
Impacts on Taiwan-China Dynamics: The Philippines’ stronger security ties with the U.S. and South Korea contribute to a layered defense structure in the first island chain, indirectly benefiting Taiwan’s strategic depth.