Thailand Moves Closer to Gripen E/F Deal in Strategic Pivot Away from U.S. Fighters

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The governments of Thailand and Sweden, together with Swedish aerospace powerhouse Saab, have reportedly entered into advanced negotiations for the sale of JAS 39 Gripen E/F multirole fighters — a move that underscores Bangkok’s intent to expand and modernise its combat aviation fleet amid a rapidly evolving regional security landscape.

According to a recent report from a leading international aerospace journal, discussions between Bangkok and Stockholm are being conducted via a government-to-government (G2G) channel — a procurement pathway often reserved for high-trust, high-value defence deals involving sensitive technologies and long-term strategic alignment.

“Detailed negotiations concerning the procurement of Gripen E/F fighter aircraft are currently underway between the Thai and Swedish governments,” the report revealed, citing sources close to the deliberations.

Talks are expected to culminate by the end of the year, potentially paving the way for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to acquire a second full squadron of Gripen fighters — augmenting the 11 Gripen C/Ds already in its arsenal.

In a notable pivot, the RTAF has reportedly chosen the Gripen E/F over the F-16 Block 70, the latest evolution of the iconic American fighter offered by Lockheed Martin.

This decision carries significant strategic weight. It marks a continued deepening of Thailand’s defence relationship with Sweden — a non-NATO European power known for offering more flexible arms transfer terms, including technology sharing and industrial collaboration, often free from the political conditions typically attached to U.S. defence exports.

Thailand’s Ministry of Defence has publicly thrown its support behind the RTAF’s selection.

Speaking to local media, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed the government’s endorsement of the Air Force’s intention to bolster its Gripen fleet.

“The Royal Thai Air Force presently operates two types of fighters — the Gripen C/D and the F-16 — both of which are capable of safeguarding national sovereignty,” Phumtham was quoted as saying in the Bangkok Post.

“Given the Air Force’s intention to acquire another squadron, I am leaving it to their professional judgment to select the platform best suited to our national defence needs, as they understand the requirements more intimately.

The procurement process is expected to be completed before the end of this year,” he added.

He also disclosed that he had personally consulted with Gripen pilots, who indicated that the aircraft’s performance is on par with the F-16 — a vote of confidence in Saab’s latest-generation platform.

“The Gripen performs comparably to the F-16,” he noted, reinforcing the RTAF’s rationale for its decision.

While the United States had extended a financing package with favourable loan terms to support a potential F-16 sale, Phumtham revealed that such an arrangement was not feasible under Thailand’s current defence policy.

He stated that he had informed the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand that the country does not have a policy of incurring debt for military procurement.

At present, the RTAF operates approximately 50 legacy F-16s — many from the earlier Block 15 and 20 variants — alongside its 11 Gripen C/Ds, which have formed the backbone of its high-end air combat capability since their induction over a decade ago.

If finalised, the acquisition of the Gripen E/F would represent a major capability leap for the RTAF.

Compared to its predecessor, the Gripen E/F is purpose-built for 21st-century network-centric warfare, offering enhanced sensor fusion, electronic warfare resilience, and multirole flexibility.

In earlier remarks to the Thai media, Robert Björklund, Saab’s campaign director for Thailand, outlined the advanced technologies offered under the package. These include:

• Raven ES-05 AESA radar – a swashplate-mounted active electronically scanned array radar offering superior tracking and targeting capabilities across a wide field of view

• Skyward-G IRST system – a passive electro-optical sensor capable of detecting stealthy or non-emitting targets

• Mode 5 IFF – enabling secure and encrypted identification of friendly forces in a joint-force environment

Björklund further noted that the aircraft would be fully compatible with both NATO’s Link-16 tactical datalink and Thailand’s indigenous Link-TH system, ensuring seamless integration into both allied and national command-and-control architectures.

✪ Gripen E/F – A Closer Look at the Platform

The Gripen E/F is Saab’s most advanced variant of the JAS 39 family — a 4.5+ generation multirole fighter designed for operations in heavily contested electromagnetic and cyber environments. It delivers an unmatched balance of cost-efficiency, operational agility, and digital integration.

✦ General Specifications:

• Manufacturer: Saab AB, Sweden

• Variants: Gripen E (single-seat), Gripen F (twin-seat for training or tactical command)

• Design: Canard-delta layout with fly-by-wire controls

• MTOW: ~16,500 kg

• Engine: GE F414G (22,000 lb thrust, afterburning turbofan)

• Max Speed: Mach 2.0

• Combat Radius: >1,500 km

• Ferry Range: >4,000 km

• Service Ceiling: ~50,000 ft

✦ Combat Systems:

• Radar: Raven ES-05 AESA

• IRST: Skyward-G passive tracking

• EW Suite: Digital RWR, MAWS, LWS, and internal jammers

• Datalinks: Link-16, Link-TH, and TIDLS (Tactical Info Data Link System)

✦ Weapons Loadout:

• Hardpoints: 10

• Air-to-Air: Meteor BVRAAM, IRIS-T, AIM-9, AMRAAM

• Air-to-Ground: Taurus KEPD 350, RBS-15, Brimstone, JDAM, Paveway

• Cannon: 27mm Mauser BK-27

• Max Payload: ~5,300 kg

✦ Operational Strengths:

• Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) capability

• High sortie generation rate and low maintenance burden

• Affordable flight-hour cost (~$6,000–7,000/hour)

• Designed for dispersed basing and rapid mission turnaround

🌏 Strategic Context

Thailand’s interest in expanding its Gripen fleet aligns with a broader regional trend: smaller and medium-sized air forces seeking greater operational independence and reduced reliance on U.S.-centric supply chains.

As China and the United States continue to compete for influence in the Indo-Pacific, countries like Thailand are hedging by diversifying their defence portfolios.

Should the deal materialise, it would solidify Sweden’s presence as a reliable arms partner in Southeast Asia and bolster Thailand’s posture as a non-aligned yet capable airpower in a region increasingly defined by multipolar competition and advanced aerial threats.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA