PH, Sweden expand defense ties amid shared maritime security challenges

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Sweden are looking to expand defense cooperation in maritime security, cybersecurity, civil defense and defense technology as both countries face growing security challenges in their respective maritime regions.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson discussed the areas of cooperation during their bilateral defense ministerial meeting in Makati City on Thursday and outlined possible areas for closer collaboration during a press briefing afterward.

The meeting comes as Manila strengthens defense partnerships with like-minded countries while pursuing the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines amid continuing tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

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Jonson said Sweden sees “great potential” to work with the Philippines in maritime surveillance, cybersecurity, space, hybrid threats and defense innovation.

“What really unites Sweden and the Philippines is not just values and interests, but also the whole approach to a rules-based international order,” Jonson said.

He said the two countries exchanged views on their respective maritime security environments, noting that Sweden has faced growing challenges in the Baltic Sea following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Jonson cited threats to critical undersea infrastructure, Russia’s so-called shadow fleet and interference with satellite navigation systems.

“We are also having challenges in regards to freedom of navigation,” he said. “It is important for me to exchange these views with Secretary Teodoro.”

Teodoro said the discussions were “very frank and candid” and would serve as the foundation for stronger defense cooperation.

“We agreed to deepen our defense cooperation founded on the basis of shared values and shared norms,” he said.

He thanked Sweden for its support for the Philippines’ 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea, saying the ruling remained an important reference in upholding international law.

Teodoro said the Philippines would soon assign a defense attaché to Sweden and that both governments were looking to negotiate an agreement on the protection of classified information to facilitate closer defense cooperation.

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The two sides also discussed cooperation in civil defense, disaster preparedness, cybersecurity and cognitive warfare.

Modernization review

Teodoro said the Department of National Defense is reassessing the Armed Forces’ Horizon 3 modernization program to ensure future acquisitions match the country’s security requirements.

“We once again have to take a fresh look at it,” he said.

He said the military is seeking platforms with the latest capabilities and adequate logistical support as it reviews the country’s desired force structure.

Teodoro said the Philippines wants long-term strategic partnerships instead of traditional buyer-seller arrangements.

“We are also looking for partners and not be clients,” he said.

He added that developing a domestic defense industry would require investments in research and development, as well as co-production arrangements with foreign partners.

Aircraft offer remains

Asked about Sweden’s offer of Saab Gripen fighter aircraft, Jonson said any acquisition decision would be made by the Philippines.

“We stand by the Swedish offer, and we think it’s a good and attractive one,” he said.

“But it is not the centerpiece of why I’m here.”

Jonson said Sweden’s priority during the visit was to broaden defense cooperation with the Philippines beyond the fighter aircraft program.

Support for arbitral ruling

Jonson reaffirmed Sweden’s support for the European Union’s position backing the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling.

“We stand firmly behind the EU’s position,” he said.

Teodoro said the Philippines and Sweden had identified “several concrete steps” to further strengthen defense cooperation, although he did not provide details.

He also welcomed the European Union’s collective support for the arbitral award.

“The EU as a whole, with the unanimous consensus of all 27 countries, supported the arbitral award, for which we are very grateful,” he said.

Ayungin incident

Asked about the recent confrontation between Philippine Navy personnel and the China Coast Guard near BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, Jonson reiterated Sweden’s support for freedom of navigation and respect for international law.

“There is no coincidence that I go and visit the Navy and I go and visit the Coast Guard,” he said, referring to his engagements with Philippine maritime security agencies.

Jonson said Sweden’s own maritime security concerns have made exchanges with the Philippines increasingly valuable.

Teodoro, meanwhile, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. conveyed “the collective anger of the Filipino people” during his recent meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan over the Ayungin incident.

Responding to China’s claim that Philippine activities aboard BRP Sierra Madre violated the 2024 provisional arrangement on Ayungin Shoal, Teodoro rejected Beijing’s assertion.

“You cannot trust these statements given the behavior and actuations of these officials,” he said. /mr