Defence Ministry Supports the RTAF Decision to Choose Gripen Fighter Jets
15 Januari 2025
Phumtham gives green light for new fleet of Gripen fighter jets
Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai attended a National Children's Day event at Wing 601, Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Base, on Saturday.
He revealed that the RTAF is moving forward with plans to select a new fleet of Gripen fighter jets to enhance its operational capacity.
"I have instructed the RTAF to carefully select the most effective fighter jets to enhance its capabilities," Phumtham said. “Regarding the Gripen, we are in discussions with the supplier about potential benefits for the Air Force, such as technology transfer. I believe the decision-making process should be finalised in 2025, allowing us to add another Gripen squadron to bolster the RTAF’s operational strength."
He added that the Gripen possesses comparable capabilities to other fighter jets. Feedback from pilots who have flown both the Gripen and the F-16 suggests the performance and piloting skills required are similar. The selection process is being handled by the Air Force, as it is best positioned to determine the aircraft that suits its needs.
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RTAF Gripen full armed (photo: Defense Info)
RTAF to test Gripen fighter jet taking off and landing on highway
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) will test the capability of a Gripen fighter jet to take off and land on a highway before making a final decision on purchasing a fleet of the Swedish fighter jets by the middle of this year, a well-informed source said on Sunday.
The source within the RTAF said it would be the first time the RTAF tests the take-off and landing of a Gripen fighter jet on a highway.
The test is scheduled for February and aims to validate claims made by its manufacturer, Saab AB, a Swedish aerospace and defence company.
According to the source, Saab has claimed that its Gripen jets can take off or land on a highway using no more than 800 metres of road in the event of a military airport being destroyed.
The source added that the Swedish Air Force has already tested this capability, demonstrating a landing using only 500 metres of road and a take-off requiring just 400 metres.
The source emphasised that proving this capability would confirm the RTAF’s decision to replace its fleet of F-16s with Gripen fighter jets.
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