Varför överväger Thailand att köpa fler Gripen-plan?

Thailand överväger att köpa fler Gripen-plan för att ersätta sina äldre F-16 och F-5 flygplan.

Vilka andra flygplan överväger Thailand att köpa?

Thailand överväger också att köpa F-35 från Lockheed Martin, men det kan ta upp till tio år att förverkliga.

Vad säger Saab om Thailands intresse för Gripen?

Saab ser positivt på Thailands intresse och är redo att diskutera ytterligare leveranser av Gripen-plan.

air

Reports: Thailand's Air Force Considers New Gripen

Thailand's Air Force is considering purchasing more JAS 39 Gripen C/D from Saab to replace older aircraft. Discussions are ongoing about future aircraft acquisitions, including the F-35 from Lockheed Martin.

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is considering purchasing an additional three JAS 39 Gripen C/D from Saab, according to information from the Bangkok Post. The country has purchased twelve so far but lost one during an air show in 2017. Now, decades-old F-16 and F-5 aircraft are to be replaced, the question is with which aircraft.

In the long term, RTAF wants to acquire the F-35 fighter aircraft from Lockheed Martin, but this will take up to ten years to realise. The USA has suggested that RTAF replace its decades-old F-16 and F-5 with new modern F-16 or F-15, which is said to be too expensive for the country, which is why Gripen C/D is now up for discussion. In October, Thailand's new commander-in-chief will take office, who, together with an expert group, will evaluate the options, according to an article in the Bangkok Post on 16 June.

The Linköping-based morning newspaper Corren, picked up the news the day before yesterday on 20 June. In a comment to the newspaper, Saab's press chief Mattias Rådström said:

- We cannot comment on the information from Thai media, but it is obviously positive for Saab if there is interest from Thailand to acquire additional Gripen aircraft for the fighter fleet they already have. We are convinced that Gripen is the best solution for the Thai Air Force, and we are, of course, ready to engage in discussions about further deliveries if it becomes relevant.

Saab's senior communications manager, Christian Angell, published a post on LinkedIn on 16 June where he linked to an article from the Thai publication The Thaiger that covered the same news. In the same post, he wrote that there are "very interesting signals from Thailand. This fantastic country needs the best possible air force [...]".

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FAQ

Varför överväger Thailand att köpa fler Gripen-plan?: Thailand överväger att köpa fler Gripen-plan för att ersätta sina äldre F-16 och F-5 flygplan.
Vilka andra flygplan överväger Thailand att köpa?: Thailand överväger också att köpa F-35 från Lockheed Martin, men det kan ta upp till tio år att förverkliga.
Vad säger Saab om Thailands intresse för Gripen?: Saab ser positivt på Thailands intresse och är redo att diskutera ytterligare leveranser av Gripen-plan.