American defense company Lockheed Martin has expanded its industrial collaboration offer for the Philippines as part of its F-16 Block 70 proposal for the country’s Multi Role Fighter program.
The updated package includes a partnership with Southern Methodist University (SMU) to support digital innovation, intellectual property creation, and workforce development in collaboration with Philippine universities and industries.
The initiative will provide a platform for technology and knowledge transfer, covering funding for business incubation, government programs, and academic initiatives. A research lab and training space will also be established to help Filipino professionals create solutions and prototypes that can be applied across different sectors.
“We are committed to investing in the development of new capabilities and intellectual properties in close collaboration with leading universities and companies in the Philippines,” said Jess Koloini, business development at Lockheed Martin F-16. “This partnership will not only support the country’s Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP), but also create a lasting impact on the Filipino workforce, driving economic growth and prosperity.”
The collaboration will use SMU’s Center for Digital and Human-Augmented Manufacturing and Deason Innovation Gym to strengthen the Philippines’ research capacity in areas such as digital modeling, simulations, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence.
Key elements of the partnership include access to advanced innovation tools at SMU, funding for business and academic projects, and joint work with local universities and companies to build new capabilities.
“This partnership is an investment in the strength of the Filipino workforce,” said Dr. Ben Zoghi, SMU associate dean for advanced studies and industry partnerships. “These projects will significantly boost the Philippines’ academia and industry, enabling them to leverage digital innovation technologies to drive economic growth and global industrial competitiveness.”
The F-16 Block 70 is the latest variant of the fighter jet, designed to align with the Philippines’ defense and economic goals.