Philippines acquires 1st supersonic fighter jets in a decade amid sea feud with China

CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines – The Philippines has taken delivery of the first two Korean-made fighter jets, the country's first supersonic combat aircraft in a decade, as it strengthens its military amid a territorial conflict with China.

The Philippine military says the FA-50 jets touched down Saturday at Clark Freeport, a former U.S. Air Force base north of Manila, to applause from security officials led by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. It bought a total of 12.

Gazmin says: "We're glad we're finally back to supersonic age."

The Philippine military, one of Asia's least equipped, has been building up its air force and navy at a time of an escalating territorial feud with Beijing in the South China Sea.

Its last fleet of supersonic combat aircraft, the F-5, was decommissioned in 2005.