Saab Confident Philippines Will Follow Thailand Footsteps in Choosing JAS39 Gripen

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Following its recent success in Thailand, Sweden’s Saab Group, the developer of the JAS39 Gripen fighter jet, is now turning its attention to the Philippines in its bid to win over the Southeast Asian nation.

After a decade without securing any contracts, Saab Group is now highly optimistic about attracting the Philippines to choose the JAS39 Gripen, following in Thailand’s footsteps.

From no buyers in 10 years, the Swedish company could potentially secure two new customers for its fighter jets.

Last week, the Philippines announced plans to spend US$33 billion (RM142 billion) to modernize its military with medium-range missiles and advanced fighter jets, according to senior defense officials.

The country is reportedly planning to acquire 40 fighter jets.

 

This significant defense expenditure comes as the Philippines faces increasing aggression from China, particularly in the South China Sea.

Manila is expected to make a decision on its fighter jet choice by the end of this year, with many in the country speculating that the JAS39 Gripen is the frontrunner in the competition to supply fighter jets to the Philippines.

As in Thailand, the Swedish-made fighter jet is up against the U.S. F-16 Block 70 and the KF-21 “Boramae” fighter jet, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

 In 2021, the United States approved the potential sale of 12 of its latest F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines, but the deal has been delayed due to financial constraints, with Manila finding the price offered by Washington “too high.”

The proposed sale of 10 F-16C Block 70/72 and two F-16D Block 70/72 fighter jets, developed by Lockheed Martin, would cost US$2.5 billion (RM11.25 billion).

However, due to the high cost of the F-16 variant offered by the U.S., which is beyond the Philippines’ financial capability, the Southeast Asian country is exploring alternative options for acquiring new fighter jets for its air force.

In light of the high cost of the U.S.-offered F-16 fighter jets, Sweden has proposed its JAS39 Gripen as an alternative.

In June, the governments of the Philippines and Sweden signed an agreement aimed at facilitating the procurement of fighter jets for the Philippine Air Force.

According to regional military observers, this latest agreement between the Philippines and Sweden indicates that Manila is now “increasingly close” to acquiring at least one squadron of Saab’s JAS39 Gripen fighter jets for its air force.

Titled the “Implementing Arrangement Concerning the Procurement of Defense Materiel and Equipment,” the agreement provides the Philippine government with guidelines on acquiring defense assets from Sweden.

The Philippines is reportedly considering acquiring between 12 and 14 Gripen fighter jets to form a multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) squadron, which would complement its existing fleet of FA-50 light fighter jets, made in South Korea.

The Philippines is expected to receive its first Gripen fighter jet as early as 2027, with the final, or 14th, jet arriving in 2028.

 

At the end of last month, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) officially announced its selection of the JAS39 Gripen E/F, developed by Sweden’s Saab Group, as its newest fighter jet, surpassing the U.S.-offered F-16 Block 70/72.

The selection of the JAS39 Gripen E/F by the RTAF was personally announced by its commander, Air Chief Marshall Phanphakdee Phattanakul, in a statement.

The Royal Thai Air Force Selection Committee made its decision after both Sweden and the U.S. submitted additional information on their offers on August 20.

 “After reviewing all factors, the committee selected the Gripen E/F over the F-16 Block 70/72,” ACM Phanphakdee Phattanakul stated.

Initially, the RTAF will acquire four Gripen E/F fighter jets to replace approximately 12 aging F-16 jets still in service with the Thai Air Force. — DSA