The Philippines and Sweden are nearing an agreement that would allow the country to acquire modern equipment for its armed forces, the Department of National Defense (DND) said.
In a series of meetings, the latest of which was held on January 17, 2024, the two countries are set finalize the Implementing Arrangement (IA) concerning the Procurement of Defense Materiel and Equipment (IA-PDME). The IA-PDME is expected to be concluded and signed as one of the major outputs of the inaugural Philippines-Sweden Joint Committee Meeting set to be held in March 2024 in Sweden.
The DND said the logistics cooperation is part of the commitment of the two countries under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Concerning Cooperation in the Acquisition of Defense Materiel signed by the two countries in June 3, 2023, and ratified on September 4, 2023.
The Philippine side, consisting of representatives from the DND, Department of Finance, and Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Sweden side led by Swedish Ambassador to the Philippines Her Excellency Annika Thunborg, are working on the finalization of the IA-PDME.
The Defense Department said it "is undertaking the necessary procedures for the conclusion of international executive agreements."
According to the DND, Sweden intends to participate in the implementation of projects under Horizon 3 of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, specifically in the Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) Aircraft Acquisition Project of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).
Among the top contenders in the MRF program are Sweden's Saab Gripen and Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon of the USA.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News
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