Potential interest from the Philippine Air Force in Saab Gripen
The Philippine Department of National Defence (DND) has followed up on its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sweden, signed in June 2023, aimed at strengthening their defense cooperation.
On 19 February 2024, the DND announced that it is finalising an Implementation Agreement (IA) with Sweden to facilitate the procurement of defense equipment. This IA is expected to be finalised in March during a meeting in Sweden.
The cooperation encompasses the purchase of defense equipment in general. However, in August 2023, the Swedish ambassador in the Philippines already discussed the Saab JAS39 Gripen C/D multirole fighter with the DND. The Gripen is considered a contender for the Philippine Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) project, alongside the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The MRF project is part of a broader programme called the Modernisation Programme Horizon Two, focused on enhancing the nation's external defence capabilities. The acquisition of twelve KAI FA-50PH light combat aircraft between 2015 and 2017 is intended to be complemented by the winner of the MRF project.
On 19 April 2023, Scramble Magazine reported on US military aid for the Philippines, noting that the US gained access to four more military bases in the Philippines after extensive negotiations with the Philippine government under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Arrangement (EDCA). The US government once again offered to supply twelve Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons. In 2021, the US Congress approved the transfer of a squadron of twelve F-16s to the Philippines for USD 2.4 billion under the FMS program. To date, no progress has been made on a potential transfer of F-16s to the Philippines.
Credit photo: Saab AB