PH eyes fighter jets from Sweden, United States

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines may get multirole fighter (MRF) jets from either Sweden or the United States to boost the country’s air defense system.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters on Monday night that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is evaluating two kinds of MRF aircraft, one from Sweden and another from the United States.

The Swedish-made Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a light single engine MRF with speeds of up to Mach 2.0, armed with a 20-mm automatic cannon, and can be equipped with rockets, missiles, bombs and surveillance equipment.

The American General Dynamics F-16V also has a top speed of Mach 2.0 with the same armament of a 20mm cannon, and can likewise carry bombs, missiles and sensors.

The acquisition of MRF is part of the revised Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program horizon two, which is aimed at procuring more equipment for the country’s external defense.

The MRF are expected to beef up the Philippine Air Force fleet of 12 South Korean-made FA-50PH light combat aircraft.—Jeanette I. Andrade