Brawner notes importance of multi-role fighters to boost AFP aerial defense

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will purchase multi-role fighter aircraft to enhance its aerial defense capabilities, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said.

Brawner met with Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Annika Thunborg at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday, Sept. 8, where he emphasized the role of the multi-role fighter (MRF) acquisition project of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) under the revised AFP modernization program.

“During their meeting, the two discussed the modernization of the AFP and the role of like-minded nations both in building a credible armed force for the Philippines and in pursuing the rules-based international order in the West Philippine Sea (WPS),” Lt. Col. Gil Ileto, chief of AFP public affairs office, said.

The Department of National Defense (DND) is considering two leading contenders for the MRF acquisition project: one is the SAAB AB JAS-39 Gripen multi-role fighter by Sweden and the other is the latest model of United States-made Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The MRF acquisition project entails the procurement of 12 units of “next generation” multi-role fighters that will be used to patrol the country’s territorial airspace and waters.

Thunborg pitched Sweden’s Gripen aircraft to Brawner and reiterated her country’s firm resolve to stand behind the Philippines in the protection of its territory, as well as the international rules-based order and the 2016 Arbitral Award, referring to the tribunal ruling that invalidated China’s claims in the South China Sea which included parts of the WPS.

Meanwhile, Brawner vowed to give updates on the PAF’s MRF acquisition project.

He also expressed hope that China “will cease its illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea.” 

“The CSAFP said that the AFP will not allow China to dictate on us on what we want to do in that post that has become a symbol of our dedication to our mandate as protector of the people and the state and our commitment to our soldiers who are stationed there,” Ileto added.

In December 2022, Thunborg also pitched the Gripen aircraft to then DND Officer in Charge Jose Faustino Jr.