Amid a regional scenario marked by tensions and border clashes with Cambodia, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) confirmed the purchase of four new Saab JAS-39 Gripen E/F fighter jets from Sweden. The official approval of the contract was issued by the Thai cabinet in recent hours, with the aim of strengthening the country’s air defense capabilities and replacing its old U.S.-made F-16 Block 15 fighters.
The news was released through the RTAF’s official channels, where it was highlighted that the acquisition responds to the need to modernize the combat aircraft fleet and guarantee the sovereignty of Thailand’s airspace. Nevertheless, it should not be overlooked that the purchase takes place within a regional context of tensions, where just a few weeks ago the border area between Cambodia and Thailand was the scene of a conflict that escalated into armed clashes, with airstrikes that left more than a dozen dead.
The approval of the purchase comes weeks after the Royal Thai Air Force confirmed the final selection of the SAAB Gripen E/F as the chosen platform to replace its veteran F-16 A/B Block 15s, operational since the 1980s. In this way, a long-awaited decision was finalized, the result of a technical evaluation that assessed not only the operational capabilities of the Swedish-made aircraft but also the possibilities for industrial cooperation and technology transfer. Although it has not been officially confirmed, the available information indicated that Thailand’s interest lay in the incorporation of around ten aircraft for an approximate value of USD 600 million.
It should be recalled that in June Thai authorities had detailed that the new Gripen E/Fs would be part of a first acquisition phase, with deliveries scheduled to be carried out in stages. The choice of this variant represents a significant improvement over the current fleet, as it incorporates an AESA radar, state-of-the-art avionics, enhanced electronic warfare capability, and greater operational range—key elements in the current regional environment.
On the other hand, it should not be overlooked that the Royal Thai Air Force already has an operational fleet of 11 JAS-39 Gripen C/D fighters acquired in 2011. These aircraft had their baptism of fire just a few days ago, during the days of conflict with Cambodia, when they were deployed alongside F-16A/B Fighting Falcon fighters to carry out precision strikes against military targets in Cambodian territory. The operations marked a turning point as they represented the first time in more than a decade that Thailand resorted to combat air assets in direct actions, as well as the first active intervention of the Thai Gripens in a regional conflict.
Lastly, with the government’s green light, Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul, Commander-in-Chief of the RTAF, is scheduled to visit Sweden between August 23 and 27 to finalize the agreement with SAAB, the manufacturer of the Gripen fighters.
*Photographs used for illustrative purposes
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