Thailand approves the purchase of four Saab Gripen E/F aircraft
A dozen Gripen E/F aircraft will be procured across three phases for the RTAF. (Photo: Saab)
The Royal Thai Air Force will replace its ageing Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter aircraft with Saab Gripen E/F, with the first procurement phase due to be delivered by 2029.
Thailand has officially approved the acquisition for four Saab JAS39 E/F Gripen aircraft at a cost of THB19.5 billion (US$595 million). The three Gripen E single-seat and one Gripen F two-seat aircraft will be integrated into the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) existing fleet of 12 Gripen C/D aircraft.
The confirmation from the government follows the earlier statement in June from the RTAF that it had selected the Gripen E/F aircraft. Local media reports indicate that the commander-in-chief of the RTAF will visit Sweden at the end of August to finalise the contract.
Shephard Defence Insight has projected that the programme
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