Thailand in Negotiations for 12 Gripen E/Fs

25 Maret 2025

Saab Gripen E/F (photo: Sompong Nondhasa)

Discussions between the Thai government in Bangkok and the Swedish government in Stockholm are "on track" for the procurement of Saab JAS 39 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft. In early January 2025, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) confirmed a decision to procure Swedish Saab Gripen E/F fighter aircraft, setting the stage for negotiations between the two countries.

"The Royal Thai Air Force has selected the Gripen E/F as its preferred future fighter aircraft. The procurement will be a government-to-government (G-to-G) process and detailed negotiations are currently underway between the competent authorities of Thailand and Sweden. The process is progressing accordingly," the Swedish company Saab said in an email sent to FlightGlobal.

The Royal Thai Air Force's decision to procure 12 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft was first signalled in August 2024. Following the long-running competition campaign between the Gripen E/F fighter and the US Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 70/72 fighter.

In addition to the Gripen E/F fighter jets and F-16C/D Block 70/72 fighter jets, both Swedish company Saab and US company Lockheed Martin have issued a comprehensive set of offset proposals to Thailand.

Meanwhile, on 27 February 2025, the RTAF's Gripen C/D fighter aircraft currently in service demonstrated its operational capabilities from a highway in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province.

"The latest road operations carried out by the Royal Thai Air Force are another testament to the smooth and robust operations that follow the Gripen fighter system. Cutting-edge operations in the sky depend on equal performance and speed on the ground," said Saab Sweden's operations department.

Currently, the Royal Thai Air Force has 11 Gripen C/D fighter aircraft in service at Squadron 701, Wing 7, Surat Thani (divided into 7 Gripen C single-seat fighter aircraft and 4 Gripen D two-seat fighter aircraft).

In support of the procurement of Gripen E/F fighter aircraft, on 7 February 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) and SAAB AB, Sweden. The Royal Thai Air Force is looking to receive approval from the Thai government and the Thai parliament in fiscal year 2025 around April-May 2025 for the replacement of its F-16A/B ADF fighters of Squadron 102, Wing 1, Korat with 12 Gripen E/F fighters.

Phase 1 procurement, with a budget of approximately 19,000,000,000 baht ($539 million), the first four aircraft consist of three single-seat fighters, Gripen E, and one two-seat fighter, Gripen F, with the contract expected to be signed around May-June 2025 and will be delivered to Squadron 102, Wing 1 in 2029.

During the 88th Anniversary International Air Show of the Royal Thai Air Force, held on 7-8 March 2025 at Wing 6, Don Mueang, Saab Company displayed a painting of a Gripen E fighter aircraft in the colours and markings of Squadron 102, Wing 1, Royal Thai Air Force.

(AAG)

from DEFENSE STUDIES https://ift.tt/kX3SiYV
via IFTTT