ADAS 2024: Candidates line up for Philippines fighter contest

Saab displayed a mock-up of its Gripen E/F fighter aircraft at the ADAS 2024 show in Manila. (Andrew White)

The field of participants in the Philippines' Multirole Fighter (MRF) programme appears to have widened with interested original equipment manufacturers presenting their offerings at the Asian Defense and Security Exhibition (ADAS) 2024 in Manila.

Saab was the only company to display a full-size mock-up at the show, which ended on 27 September, presenting its Gripen E/F.

Also promoting offerings for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) programme was Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with its KF-21 ‘Boramae', Leonardo with the Eurofighter, Lockheed Martin with the F-16, and Turkish Aerospace (TA) with its Hürkuş, Hürjet, and fifth-generation Kaan. Dassault Aviation, which is also understood to be participating in the programme with its Rafale, was not present at ADAS.

The PAF's quest for an MRF has been long-running but in August the Department of National Defense (DND) reiterated its intention to purchase up to 40 aircraft in a programme worth up to about USD7 billion. The PAF is looking to augment its fleet of KAI FA-50PHs at a time of increasing tension with China.

Saab's Gripen E/F mock-up was presented with a series of accessories and weapons including Diehl's IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile (SRAAM), MBDA's Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), Diehl and Saab's RBS15 Gungnir air-to-surface missile, and Mauser's BK-27 cannon. The mock-up also displayed an external drop tank.

Speaking to Janes at ADAS 2024, a Saab spokesperson said the DND's process to acquire a new MRF remained “ongoing”, confirming the company is ready to deliver “as soon as required”.