BANGKOK: Thailand is planning to purchase a dozen Gripen JAS 39 fighter jets from Sweden’s SAAB over the next decade to update its aging fleet, which mainly consists of U.S. aircraft, according to the air force chief on Wednesday (Jun 4). This announcement comes two years after the U.S. rejected Thailand’s request to acquire F-35s.
Thailand maintains one of the most well-equipped air forces in Southeast Asia, featuring 11 JAS 39 Gripen jets alongside numerous American F-16 and F-5 aircraft, some of which have been operational since the late 1980s.
The initial procurement phase, covering 2025 to 2029, is budgeted at 19.5 billion baht (approximately US$596 million) for four Gripen jets. Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul stated that the air force previously indicated a preference to acquire more Swedish jets and plans to present this proposal to the cabinet for approval next month. If it receives the green light, a contract is anticipated to be finalized in August.
“We appreciate the Royal Thai Air Force’s choice of Gripen E/F as its future fighter and look forward to the forthcoming steps in this procurement process,” commented SAAB CEO Micael Johansson in a statement.
“Gripen E/F represents the optimal solution for providing Thailand with autonomous air power into the future, significantly enhancing the nation’s safety and security,” he continued.
However, SAAB noted that no contract has been signed nor a firm order placed yet.
Thailand, which has a long-standing military partnership with the United States and was designated a Major Non-NATO Ally by Washington in 2023, originally aimed to purchase as many as eight Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth jets, recognized as some of the most advanced fighter aircraft globally.
However, the United States declined the sale in 2023, citing issues related to training and technical requirements, including maintenance compatibility. The F-35 is regarded as a sensitive export and is sold only to the U.S.’s closest partners in the Indo-Pacific, such as Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.
