Thai Gripen Maintain Readiness to Remain Unbeatable

28 Maret 2025

JAS-39 Grpen of Squadron 701, Wing 7 at Surat Thani AFB (all photos: RTAF)

The Royal Thai Air Force, by Squadron 701, Wing 7, has trained the readiness of the Gripen aircraft unit to maintain its capability to perform interception missions, air combat reconnaissance, air defense pressure, etc., and practice air attack tactics by using the skills of the operators and the capabilities of modern technology to be ready to respond to national security situations quickly and efficiently, as posted by RTAF on March 22, 2025.

Surat Thani Air Base is an air base located in Phunphin district, Surat Thani Province, Thailand. It is located 21 km west of Surat Thani, and is the base of RTAF's 7th Wing. Surat Thani has one paved runway.

7th Wing 7 is the home base of 701 Fighter Squadron with JAS-39 C/D nicknamed "Ferocious Shark of the Andaman" and "House of Gripen" as they fly Gripen aircraft. A total of 12 Gripens were delivered (4 Gripen D and 8 Gripen C), replacing F-5E/F. One Gripen C crashed in Songkhla province in 2017 during an air show.

7th Wing is also the home base of 702 Squadron with Saab 340 AEW and Saab 340 aircraft. Royal Thai Air Force operates two Saab 340AEW aircraft delivered in December 2010 (70201) and in October 2012 (70203). The other five Saab 340 aircraft, 70206 were designated as SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) aircraft while the other four (70202, 70204, 70205, and 70207) were for other functions and as transport aircraft.

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