DND's Gibo Teodoro, Swedish counterpart to discuss defense matters, possible new fighter jets on July 23

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is expected to meet with Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson on Thursday, July 23 in the Philippines.

Teodoro said that defense cooperation and the possible procurement of Swedish fighter jets are expected to be included in the agenda.

“Well, in general, naturally, yung defense cooperation natin, alam ko, alam naman ang publiko, isang ina-eye natin, kung may pondo tayo ‘yung Gripen ano," he told reporters on Monday.

(Well, in general, naturally, regarding our defense cooperation—I know, and the public knows—one of the things we are eyeing, if we have the funds, is the Gripen.)

Manufactured by the Swedish aerospace company Saab, the JAS 39 Gripen is a lightweight, single-engine supersonic multirole fighter Sweden has proposed to the Philippine Air Force.

When asked if Manila and Stockholm will discuss possible Status of Visiting Forces Agreement between two countries, Teodoro said: "Wala pa akong nakuhang inkling sa kanila."

(I haven't gotten any inkling from them yet.)

Teodoro and Jonson last met in 2025 on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

In 2024, Teodoro also welcomed Jonson to the Philippines which marked the first time that a Swedish Defense minister visited Manila. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News