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Saturday, January 21, 2023 Vol. 18 No. 98
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THE ‘ULTIMATE’ GRIPEN CHOICE
Is PAF’s elusive quest for the MRF combat jet plane about to end with the Saab JAS-39?
I
By Rex Anthony Naval
MRF project already approved, but...
T was barely a ripple in the water to speak of, but like sharks catching a sniff of the barest tinge of blood flowing from a badly injured prey in the ocean, news of Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines meeting with a thenranking official of the country to discuss “mutual interests in the field of defense” was enough to fuel hopes for Filipino military modernization enthusiasts with a moist eye for the multi-role fighter (MRF)—object of a long, elusive quest.
Among the key topics that then Department of National Defense (DND) Officer in Charge (OIC) Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. discussed with Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Annika Thunborg on December 21, 2022, was Sweden’s offer to supply the Saab-made JAS 39 “Gripen” MRF to the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The Swedish Gripen is one of the two top contenders for the PAF MRF Acquisition Project, with the other jet fighter being the US Lockheed Martin F-16V “Viper,” the latest version of the Americanmade aircraft now being supplied in quantities in many air forces around the world. The JAS-39 is classified as the most reliable “swing-role combat aircraft” available in the world market. The Swedish-made fighter requires minimal personnel and ground support equipment for dispersed operations, and can operate from small-unprepared roads. It is also equipped with sophisticated radar, sensors and weapons.
EARLIER, then PAF chief Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas Sr. said the MRF project had been approved by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Despite the approval, funding is still to be allocated for this project, which is supposed to be part of Horizon 2 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program slated for 2018 to 2022. However, on January 9, Faustino resigned as DND OIC and was replaced by former AFP chief-ofstaff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. Cited as reason for his resignation was the appointment of Gen. Andres Centino as AFP chief-ofstaff on January 6, replacing Medal of Valor awardee Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro. Continued on A2
SAAB’S JAS 39 Gripen BRETT CRITCHLEY | DREAMSTIME.COM
“[We will] address the growing and significant challenges to the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty by guaranteeing full support to the modernization program, strengthening coordinative mechanisms with interagency partners, and leveraging and maximizing with the country’s defense partnerships.” —Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.
“The OIC, DND and the Swedish Ambassador discussed the PAF MRF Acquisition Project and the offer of Swedish defense and aerospace company Saab AB of Gripen aircraft, which has been on the PAF’s shortlist,” the DND said in a
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news statement. In the same statement, Faustino recognized the potential of bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Sweden, particularly in the defense industry and logistics sectors. “Both officials stressed on the importance of building a strong air defense. Relatedly, the OIC, DND underscored the need to improve capabilities in the context of regional security developments, mentioning the shift in focus of the Philippine defense sector from internal security to external defense,” it added. The DND said Faustino recognized the potential of bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Sweden, particularly in the defense industry and logistics. Prior to the meeting of the two officials, there were unconfirmed reports that the Gripen had already been selected by the Philippines as its preferred MRF. Defense and military officials,
however, are still to confirm these claims. The Philippine defense community has long been waiting for the MRF following the decommissioning of its Northrop F-5 “Tiger” jet fighter fleet in 2005. The MRFs being sought by the PAF are expected to augment the existing fleet of 12 Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50PHs, which are capable of speeds of up to Mach 1.5 and acquired by the Philippines from 2015 to 2017. The Philippines’s 12-plane contract with KAI is worth P18.9 billion and was signed in February 2014. PAF MRF requirements stipulate that the offered aircraft must be “fourth generation or higher.” It also states the proponent must be able to supply 12 MRFs capable of patrolling the country’s waters and airspace. Any aircraft that is selected must be able to integrate with existing radar systems that have a range of about 250 nautical miles.
n JAPAN 0.4259 n UK 67.7639 n HK 6.9845 n CHINA 8.0735 n SINGAPORE 41.3802 n AUSTRALIA 37.7839 n EU 59.2326 n KOREA 0.0444 n SAUDI ARABIA 14.5602
Source: BSP (January 20, 2023)
JOZSEF SOOS | DREAMSTIME.COM
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