Sweden is deepening its strategic defense engagement in Southeast Asia, reaffirming its commitment to a long-term partnership with the Republic of the Philippines. The recent visit of Sweden’s newly appointed non-resident Defense Attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Anders Nikanorsson, to Manila underscored this commitment.
On October 27, 2025, Lt. Col. Nikanorsson was formally introduced to the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He attended a distinguished gathering hosted by AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner, which brought together Foreign Armed Forces Attachés (FAFAs) and Military Attachés and Advisers (MAMAs). Accompanied by his wife, Lt. Col. Nikanorsson expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality and cultural richness of the Philippines:
“During my stay, I gained a deeper understanding of the endeavors and challenges facing the Philippines and its Armed Forces. I look forward to working closely with my counterparts to further facilitate collaboration with Sweden.”
In addition to his engagements with the AFP, Lt. Col. Nikanorsson held meetings with Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan of the Philippine Coast Guard and senior officials from the Department of National Defense (DND), together with Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines Anna Ferry, reinforcing Sweden’s commitment to broad-based defense dialogue and cooperation.
His visit followed the Second Joint Logistics Meeting held in Stockholm earlier in October, which brought together representatives from the DND, the Swedish Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The meeting, also attended by Philippine Ambassador to Sweden Patrick Chuasoto, focused on strengthening capacity building and training programs, while exploring sustainable approaches to developing deterrence and defense capabilities. The discussions also included briefings on cybersecurity and emerging technologies at the Swedish Defence Research Agency, reflecting the growing importance of digital resilience in modern defense strategies.
The Philippine delegation also visited Saab’s facility in Linköping, where they tested the simulator for the JAS39 Gripen Multi-Role Fighter—a modern aircraft with long-term relevance for regional defense. They were introduced to a range of defense solutions for the Army, Navy, and Air Force from Saab and other Swedish providers, showcasing Sweden’s advanced defense technologies and integrated systems.
“Sweden values its growing partnership with the Philippines in defense and security. We are committed to supporting capacity building and sustainable cooperation in line with our Defense Policy Direction for the Indo-Pacific region.” said Ambassador Anna Ferry.
This cooperation was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2023, followed by an Implementing Arrangement (IA) in 2024 between the DND and the Swedish Ministry of Defence.
The Embassy of Sweden in Manila continues to actively support defense-related initiatives in the Philippines. In October, the Embassy participated as an observer in the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Industry Forum, and attended the Navy Drone Warfare Summit in Subic, where Sweden’s leading defense company Saab showcased its Exploration Environment and other cutting-edge technologies.
These engagements reflect Sweden’s long-term commitment to building a trusted, strategic, and mutually beneficial defense partnership with the Philippines—anchored in shared values, innovation, and a vision for regional peace and security.