The KFIR Block 60- An opportunity cost to the Philippines

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In finance and accounting parlance opportunity cost is a loss sustained either by inaction or taking another alternative action due to the inability to grab or take advantage of an opportunity when it presented itself. It is the value or benefit of a choice bypassed and foregone.

The Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) KFIR Block 60 is a multi-role networked fighter that is based on the French Mirage jet and re-manufactured by the former to zero timed frame and installed with 4th plus generation avionics and radar, being so it can synchronize operation with its allies including aerial refueling; it has nine hard points to accommodate an array of modern weaponry; can run at mach 2+ up to 1000 nautical miles without refueling and a manufacturers guarantee of 8000 hours flying time equivalent to 40 years. Rumor has it that it is being offered at a meager sum of 20 million US Dollar a piece including the weaponry. A price that represents 1/3 the cost of a brand new fighter with similar capability but without the weaponry. IAI also guarantees delivery within 12 months (Please paste this link to your browser for more details- http://defense-update.com/20131006_at-40-years-of-age-kfir-turns-into-a-networked-fighter.html).



With the current price of modern brand new multi-role fighters that runs to about 60 million US dollars or so sans the weaponry, and with the prices escalating every time, the Philippines can only hope and dream at least for the next decade or so. In the meanwhile, the vacuum in the Philippine air defenses will likewise linger. Amid the real threat to its sovereignty the Philippines has to discriminate between want, need and urgently essential. The statement to this effect is simple and concise “It has to have an interim fighter… now! ”. New equipment will take several years to come by and there will never be assurance that directions will not change with any change in leadership. The Philippines has no choice but to pick up the nearest and biggest stone. To continue walking in pursuit of a polished and round stone to be thrown against its adversary would no doubt lead the Philippines to little or nothing at all, especially, after President Aquino’s term expired. With the presumption of regularity in the KFIR data, as represented by IAI (appeared to be have been validated by the Colombian Air Force at the Operation Red Flag exercise on 2012 which was held in the United States), and the justified acquisition of the similarly aged Hamilton cutters with lesser capability, what would be unjustifiable in getting the KFIR. To forego the KFIR would not be a mistake, but to fore-go the benefits that comes with it, even if the would be acquisition may be well within the current means to do so, would entail a significant opportunity cost, and self-denial of the readily available, capable and affordable tool to assert a sovereign right. Indeed! A catastrophic state with respect to Philippine defense as a whole.

On the other hand, a logical and pragmatic mind with a prudent spirit will choose the reasonable ...the obvious ...and the realistic path, he will take all those KFIR’s … and he will take them all right now.

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