Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is eyeing to discuss the possible acquisition of Saab JAS- 39 Gripen, a light single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft with his Swedish counterpart during the defense ministerial meeting next week.

"Well, in general, naturally, our defense cooperation, the public know that we are eyeing for Gripen if we have funds," Teodoro told reporters on Monday, when asked for the overview of his discussion with Sweden Defence Minister Pål Jonson.

"We'll probably just look at the latest developments regarding the Gripens that other countries have ordered and determine which ones would be suitable for the Philippines," he added.

However, Teodoro noted that the acquisition of the Multi-Role Fighter (MRF) aircraft under the third horizon of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) needs funding.

"At the end of the day, that discussion belongs to another department of the government, since it needs to be funded," he added.

The defense secretary also noted that aside from Gripen, the Philippines is looking at four other possible suppliers for its MRF program.

"Well of course we consider the (South) Korea, it's one of those options. There are also offers from Lockheed, Dassault and Eurofighter," he said.

Teodoro was referring to South Korea's KF-21 Boramae; US Lockheed which is selling the F-16V Viper MRF, France's Dassault Aviation which is offering Rafale; and European Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo designed Eurofighter Typhoon. Robina Asido/PHS