H.E. Annika Thunborg, Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines, rendered a courtesy call on Senior Undersecretary Jose C. Faustino, Jr., Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Department of National Defense (DND) on 21 December 2022, in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, to discuss developments concerning matters of mutual interest in the field of defense.
Senior Undersecretary Faustino recognized the potential of bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Sweden, particularly in defense industry and logistics. Meanwhile, Ambassador Thunborg noted the successful visit to Stockholm of the Commanding General, Philippine Air Force (PAF) on 09 to 14 December, as well as the recent meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at the sidelines of the ASEAN-European Union (EU) Commemorative Summit last 14 December 2022 in Brussels. She further conveyed the readiness of the Swedish Government to enter into discussions on an agreement on cooperation on defense materiel, as earlier proposed by the Philippine side.
The OIC, DND and the Swedish Ambassador discussed the PAF Multi-Role Fighter Acquisition Project and the offer of Swedish defense and aerospace company Saab AB of Gripen aircraft, which has been in the PAF’s shortlist. 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.
The two sides also exchanged views on other topical issues on security, such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Philippine efforts to end local communist armed conflict, and the situation in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
