The decision means that Saab now proceeds in the procurement process together with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. No contract has been signed yet, but the Thai Air Force leadership has confirmed that the first step in the procurement includes four aircraft, including associated equipment, spare parts, and training systems.
– We welcome the announcement that the Royal Thai Air Force has now chosen the Gripen E/F as their upcoming fighter aircraft, says Saab's CEO Micael Johansson in a press release from the company.
The background to the decision is that Thailand's existing F-16 aircraft, in operation since 1988, are nearing the end of their service life. The country now plans to phase in a total of twelve new fighter aircraft during the period 2025 to 2034. The budget allocation for the first phase is approximately 560 million dollars.
Since 2023, Thailand has considered supplementing its existing Gripen fleet with additional aircraft. It was already apparent then that Saab was seen as an economically and operationally realistic alternative to new American F-16 or F-15. In August 2024, it was confirmed that the procurement was between the Gripen E/F and the F-16 Block 70/72, and that a government decision was imminent.
Thailand's Gripen fleet currently consists of eleven aircraft, after the country purchased twelve Gripen C/D from Saab in 2007. One aircraft was lost in an accident in 2017.