The Philippines and Sweden have recently entered into an agreement that could lead to a significant deal involving the supply of Saab Gripen fighter aircraft to the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by Acting Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore last week.
Photo: Swedish government
The agreement focuses on defense materiel cooperation and holds the potential for Swedish defense industries to contribute to the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “The signed agreement paves the way for advancing cooperation in the areas of logistics, defense industry development, and exchange of related information between the two countries,” Philippine Department of National Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong was quoted as saying.
The recent signing of the MOU follows discussions between Galvez and Swedish Trade Minister Johan Forssell in Manila last month, where they finalized the details of the agreement and addressed other aspects of bilateral relations.
In a separate development, PAF Chief Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño led a delegation to Sweden, engaging with the Swedish Air Force and visiting the Saab facility. During the visit, they had the opportunity to examine the JAS-39, as well as the Saab 340 airborne early warning and control aircraft.
The acquisition of multi-role fighters has been a long-standing goal for the PAF as part of its deterrence strategy. Alongside the Saab Jas-39 Gripen, the PAF has been considering the F-16 from Lockheed Martin, for its fighter jet requirement.
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