Thailand's cabinet has approved the purchase of 4 Gripen E/F fighter jets worth 19.5 billion baht (600 million USD), air force spokesman Prapas Sornchaidee said on 5/8.
Air force chief Phanphakdee Phatthanakul announced the same day that the cabinet had authorized him to sign the contract with Saab. The signing ceremony is scheduled for 25/8.
"The process is on track, and the Royal Thai Air Force is fully prepared for the contract," Phanphakdee said. "All our activities comply with international regulations and are on schedule. There are no security concerns."
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Thai Gripen fighter jet in a photo released in August 2024. Photo: Royal Thai Air Force |
Thai Gripen fighter jet in a photo released in August 2024. Photo: Royal Thai Air Force
The Royal Thai Air Force announced in June its plan to acquire a total of 12 Gripen E/F fighters over 10 years. The Gripen E/F jets will replace the aging F-16s currently in service.
Thailand's decision to purchase additional Gripens comes two years after the US declined to sell F-35A stealth fighters, citing long wait times and the aircraft's extensive infrastructure and training requirements.
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a single-engine light fighter developed by Sweden and has been in service since 1996. Approximately 300 have been produced, serving in the armed forces of 7 countries worldwide.
The Royal Thai Air Force currently operates 11 JAS 39C/D Gripen light fighters, along with 60 US-made F-16A/B and 34 F-5E/F aircraft.
In addition, Thailand's cabinet on 5/8 approved changes to a 2017 agreement to purchase three S26T submarines, extending the construction period by more than three years. The S26T is a variant of the Type-039A submarine class built by China.
Under the original agreement, the S26T submarines were to use German MTU396 engines. However, the European Union (EU) subsequently banned arms and military material exports to China, preventing Germany from delivering the engines. Following the amendment, the S26T submarines will use Chinese-made CHD620 engines.
Nguyen Tien (Nation Thailand, AFP, AP)
