Thailand chooses Swedish Gripen fighters over F-16s

Swedish defence manufacturer Saab has announced that it has received an order to supply Thailand with four Gripen fighter jets.

“Today, Saab has received an order from the Swedish Armed Forces Materiel Administration to deliver four Gripen E/F fighters to the Kingdom of Thailand,” the company said in a statement, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In early July 2024, during its fleet modernisation program, the Royal Thai Air Force opted for Swedish Gripen E/F fighters, rejecting the acquisition of the new F-16 Block 70 variant from the United States.

The company clarified that the order is valued at approximately 5.3 billion Swedish kronor (around 560 million USD), with deliveries scheduled for 2025–2030. The contract includes three Gripen E aircraft and one Gripen F, along with associated equipment and training.

Currently, the Royal Thai Air Force operates both Gripen and older-model F-16 jets. The replacement specifically targets 12 F-16 fighters whose service life is nearing its end. Throughout 2024, both Sweden and the U.S. actively promoted their fighter jets in meetings with Thai partners at all levels.

By Khagan Isayev