Very Good Chances for Jas Gripen in the Philippines, Said Philippine Defense Minister

20 Desember 2023

Saab JAS 39 Gripen (photo : SAAB Group)

The Swedish defense group Saab hopes to be able to sell the Jas Gripen combat aircraft to the Philippines when the country now equips itself.

In an exclusive interview with Ekot, the Philippine defense minister says that the Swedish fighter jet has very good chances.

"The decision on which solution suits the Philippines best must be made as soon as possible", says Philippine Defense Minister Gilbert Teodoro.

According to him, the Swedish Jas Gripen fighter has very good chances.

"Swedish equipment has a very good chance, I would say".

As part of the modernization of the Philippine Armed Forces, the Air Force is to procure new fighter jets. Sweden's main competitor is American Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the F-16 fighter jet.

Mats Lundberg, who works with SAAB's Gripen campaigns in the Philippines, says that the Gripen's capabilities should suit the Philippines well.

"The Gripen has an enormously good ability, not least for the type of country that is very spread out, in a way similar to Sweden, with a lot of coast and islands", he says.

In the past year, the relationship between the Philippines and China has become increasingly tense. China claims large parts of the South China Sea, and is increasingly engaged in confrontations with Philippine ships. The Philippines has recently deepened its defense cooperation with Australia and the United States, and also signed an agreement with Sweden on defense cooperation.

"Sweden has a lot to offer. We know your abilities, we are familiar with Sweden not only in aviation, but also in other technologies, Sweden has been a country with a self-sufficient defense industry for a long time. There is much to collaborate with Sweden on in the future", says Philippine Defense Minister Gilbert Teodoro to Ekot.

(SverigesRadio)