By Ben Cal
MANILA, July 2 (PNA) -– Swedish-made supersonic Gripen plane is emerging as the next generation of jet fighter aircraft being considered by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) for its long-overdue modernization program.
A random interview conducted by Philippines News Agency on Tuesday indicated that PAF pilots prefer the Gripen jet-fighters to other types (of fighter planes) because of its lower cost, yet armed with sophisticated latest stand-off long-range anti-ship weapons and air-to-air missiles.
These are highly accurate weapons that can be unleashed even if the target is 80 kilometers away.
The air-to-air missiles can be fired beyond visual range of the pilot.
Gripen has a top speed of 1,552 miles per hour.
Representatives from Gripen were in Manila last month to participate in the annual PAF symposium held at the Mall of Asia in suburban Pasay City. They said they would be happy to sell to the Philippines the multi-role Gripen fighter jets.
Gripen is manufactured by SAAB.
In its brochure distributed to the press, SAAB says that Gripen is cost-effective, new generation multi-role aircraft in the market.
The multi-role Gripen fighter aircraft costs US$ 60 million apiece while other similar planes cost as much as US$ 80 each or more.
Thailand has already purchased 12 Gripen jet-fighters while Malaysia is planning to buy the aircraft.
Aside from Sweden Air Force which bought over 200 Gripens, other countries that have Gripen in their arsenals are South Africa 26, Hungary 14, Czech Republic 14.
The United Kingdom also bought some Gripen planes but there was no mention as to the number of units it acquired from Sweden.
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