The Royal Thai Air Force has decided to replace parts of its current fleet, which includes American F-16 aircraft that have been in operation since 1988, with new JAS 39 Gripen, reports Ekot.
– It is, of course, extremely positive for both Saab and Sweden and again demonstrates the competence in Sweden to develop world-leading fighter aircraft, says Mattias Rådström, press manager at Saab, to SVT Nyheter and continues:
– There is no contract or order for fighter aircraft at present from Thailand, and we now look forward to continuing our discussions with the Royal Thai Air Force and the Thai authorities, he says.
According to Bangkok Post, the choice was between two options: Gripen E/F and F-16 Block 70/72. Air Chief Marshal (OF-9) Phanphakdee Phattanakul confirmed that the procurement will initially include four aircraft.
In June, information to Bangkok Post suggested that the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) was considering purchasing an additional three JAS 39 Gripen C/D from Saab, which the Defense Sector previously wrote about.
Reuters reports that the Royal Thai Air Force has requested a budget increase of approximately 560 million dollars for 2025 to finance the acquisition of the four new fighter aircraft. These are planned to be acquired between 2025 and 2029 as part of a larger plan to procure a total of twelve new fighters before 2034.
Currently, Thailand's Gripen fleet consists of eleven aircraft, after the country purchased twelve in 2007. One of these aircraft was lost in a crash during a local airshow in 2017.