The Philippines is currently looking at around five possible suppliers for its multirole fighter (MRF) program, aimed to beef up defensive capabilities of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Monday.

Teodoro revealed this plan after being asked on whether the DND is considering other MRFs apart from Sweden’s SAAB JAS-39 “Gripen,” which is considered as among the best possible fighter aircraft for the PAF.

“Well yung, of course, yung sa (South) Korea kino-consider, its one of those in the options. Meron din offer yung Lockheed, meron din offer yung Dassault at saka Eurofighter (We’re also considering (South) Korea’s offer, it’s one of the options. Lockheed also has offers, along with Dassault, and Eurofighter),” he said.

The DND chief was referring to South Korea’s KF-21 “Boramae,” which is now undergoing development by Korea Aerospace Industries.

Others are US’ Lockheed, which is selling the F-16V “Viper” MRF; France’s Dassault Aviation, which is offering the Rafale, a canard delta-wing fighter design; European Airbus’ BAE Systems, and Leonardo designed Eurofighter Typhoon, which is described as fighter jet with multi-role capabilities.

Incidentally, Teodoro will be meeting with his counterpart, Swedish Minister of Defense Pål Jonson on Thursday.

When asked if the “Gripen” will be part of the talks, the DND chief said they will look into the latest developments concerning the numbers ordered by other countries and how the aircraft will fit with the Philippine military.

However, Teodoro said acquisition of the MRF is dependent on government funding.

Earlier, the DND chief said he wants the proposed MRF program to proceed as a full package with “airborne warning and control” (AWACS) and aerial tankers for mid-air refuelling platforms.

Having these platforms will ensure that the MRF program, once completed, will be “operational as a force package”, he added.

Aside from AWACS, Teodoro said the Philippines also need tanker aircraft to extend the range of the proposed MRFs.

Aerial tankers are large aircraft that are capable of transferring fuel to fighter and attack aircraft through a probe-and-drogue system.

Teodoro admitted that having these aircraft will “add considerably to the cost of the package (and) must be all taken into account.”

Budget for the MRF acquisition project is peg to be around PHP60 billion to PHP100 billion, and is under the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Re-horizon 3 program. (PNA)