(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has officially announced its selection of Swedish-made JAS39 Gripen E/F fighter jets from Saab Group as its latest addition to the fleet, ditching the United States’ offer of the F-16 Block 70/72.
The decision was made public by RTAF chief Air Chief Marshal Phanphakdee Phattanakul in an official statement.
The RTAF’s selection committee chose the JAS39 Gripen E/F after both Sweden and the United States submitted additional information regarding their offers on August 20.
Key considerations included technology transfer and training, which the RTAF emphasized, especially in relation to acquiring defense systems from foreign countries.
“After careful consideration of all factors, the committee selected the Gripen E/F over the F-16 Block 70/72,” said ACM Phanphakdee Pattanakul.
He also mentioned that the Air Force would prepare documentation to explain the rationale behind the decision to both the public and the Thai government.
Initially, the RTAF plans to acquire four Gripen E/F fighters to replace approximately 12 aging F-16 fighters currently in service.
The acquisition is pending final approval from Thailand’s newly elected Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and the Minister of Defense.
ACM Phattanakul expressed confidence that the RTAF made the right decision in opting for the Gripen E/F over the F-16 Block 70/72.
Currently, the RTAF operates around 50 F-16 fighter jets and 11 JAS39 Gripen C/D fighters.
Last month, Saab opened its advanced facilities in Sweden to Thai media, allowing them to get a closer look at the latest Gripen E/F production line, as reported by the Bangkok Post.
Signs that Thailand was leaning towards the Gripen have been evident for several months, becoming more apparent recently with ACM Phanpakdee Phattanakul and other high-ranking officials visiting Sweden in early May for further discussions with Saab’s senior management.
In late May, the Chairman of the Armed Forces Committee in the Thai Parliament, Wiroj Lakkhanadisorn, also visited Sweden to hold further talks with Saab’s top management.
Meanwhile, Robert Bjorklund, Director of the Gripen Campaign in Thailand, told a major Thai newspaper that Saab’s offer to Thailand includes an advanced networked sensor fusion system and three sophisticated radar types: Raven ES-05-AESA, Skyward G-IRST, and Mode 5-IFF.
He added that the Gripen E/F fighters offered to Thailand are compatible with both the Link-16 data link system and the RTAF’s own Link-TH system.
ACM Phanphakdee previously stated that out of the RTAF’s current seven fighter squadrons, three would be decommissioned due to the aging and obsolescence of their aircraft.
Each squadron consists of 12 fighter jets, and the new aircraft will replace those being retired.
Thailand’s new fighter jet acquisition will begin in October next year, starting with the purchase of four initial aircraft, followed by additional acquisitions. — DSA