A better Philippine Air Force in the Cold War to present day

The SAAB 340 AEW & C platform would be the right fit for the Philippines, since it is able to be operated on smaller airfields and is more affordable to run given that it uses turboprops. It is also used by Brasil, which could open up multiple other avenues. Another interim fast jet option for the PAF could be the Canadian CF - 5s that received a huge upgrade to act as lead in aircraft for their CF 18s and later sat in storage awaiting buyers. While Botswana ended up with them IOTL, a better outcome could be the PAF using them until the threat rises from China to justify a capability upgrade.

With regards to the UH 60 buy, the Mil 17 carries more troops is easier to maintain and far more rugged as well. However, I would compliment it with a Ch 47 buy as well and you have a pretty strong air wing capability, particularly if that is combined with Caribous or other STOL transport aircraft.

Perhaps mounting the Avenger's missile system on an M551 Sheridan chassis could be a good fit, though being an amphibious light tank the original M551, one might also say that having a good Surface to Air missile system while on the water might also help deter against enemy helicopters too.

Having a similar alliance to NORAD could enhance the defensive security of the Philippines in terms of air defenses, but that went out of the window with the demise of SEATO. Although would it be the regular Hornet or the Super Hornet that may be a good fit within the PAF. It might also depend on what kind of fighter planes that neighboring Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam would field that may also cover Philippine airspace.

The Hornet has super short legs, so if the PAF went down that route then they would also need to invest in tankers. Otherwise the F - 16 with a single engine reduces the logistical burden versus the F / A 18's twin engines, along with offering a huge amount of commonality for the PAF with multiple friendly Air Forces also operating the type within the region. Otherwise the Flanker has enormous legs and once you update the avionics would also provide a pretty potent capability.

The only issue with that is your primary adversary (PLAAF & PLAN) also operate them, but AEW & C will dramatically reduce that risk for you since most engagements won't reach the merge.

Airborne Early Warning & Control - aircraft that identify air threats, prioritise them according to capability and then direct friendly fighters to engage them from an advantageous position. This dramatically reduces your fighter pilot's workload & improves their situational awareness.

Patriot Missiles and THAAD are expensive no doubt.

Think more Hercules transports for long range and some more CASA C-295s is better, also i would like to see this plane below in a nice camoflage like the C-1 you posted gillan1220.

The EC-1 would have been a good transport plane for the paratroopers to use, though I wonder if it might be vulnerable to such weapons like the Stinger missiles carried on foot by infantry?