Thailand Wants to Buy New Fighter Jets - Gripen Aircraft on the List

02 Februari 2024

Wing 7 interceptor/fighter with Saab 39 Gripen at Surat Thani AFB (photo: Sompong Nondhasa)

Thailand's Air Force plans to apply for up to the equivalent of $538 million from the Thai state budget to buy new fighter jets to replace the country's aging planes.

Bloomberg News reports.

The air force has set up a committee to consider buying either US F-16 Block 70 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin or Gripen E fighter jets from Swedish defense company Saab, the country's air force chief Punpakdee Pattanakul said on Tuesday.

Considering that the budget is limited, the Air Force will try to achieve positive effects for the country's economy in connection with the deal, Punpakdee Pattanakul states.

The deliveries may have been completed within seven to ten years.

In 2023, the US said no to allowing Thailand to quickly buy fighter jets of the more advanced model F-35.

Thailand already has, among other things, Gripen planes in its air force.



from DEFENSE STUDIES https://bit.ly/3w1bP1B
via IFTTT