First Thai Gripen E/F Enters Production
THAILAND’S first Saab Gripen E/F fighter for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has entered production, with an RTAF delegation visiting Saab in Linkoping, Sweden to monitor the programme’s progress.
The RTAF delegation was led by its chief Air Chief Marshal Sakesan Kantha and chairman of the joint steering committee (JSC), not to mention the committee itself. Throughout the visit, the delegation was briefed on the Gripen E/F simulator and capability upgrades on the Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) to the AEW&C (Control) configuration in the future.
An RTAF social media post stated, “During this visit, the Commander-in-Chief engaged in high-level discussions with Saab Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Aeronautics Lars Tossman to oversee the project’s advancement. A primary focus of this inspection was the rigorous evaluation of manufacturing standards and strategic oversight of the production process. The RTAF remains steadfast in its commitment to operational transparency, ensuring the highest level of public confidence in the project’s management.”
“Beyond the acquisition of high-performance fighter aircraft, the RTAF places paramount importance on the national Offset Policy. The strategic integration of advanced technology transfer goes beyond enhancing airpower; it serves as a catalyst for elevating personnel capabilities and laying a robust, sustainable foundation for Thailand’s future defence industry”, it added.
The contract for the RTAF includes three Gripen E and one Gripen F aircraft as well as associated equipment, support and training. Furthermore, Saab will also deliver a long-term offset package to Thailand as part of the fighter acquisition plan. This will include significant transfer of defence technology and industrial cooperation with Thailand together with new investments across many sectors of the national economy.
The single-seat Gripen E and two-seat Gripen F are likely to be equipped with MBDA’s Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) and accompanying systems. Saab’s offset policy offers the RTAF access to its tactical data link which would provide the air force with an advantageous edge in the future, with plans to further develop their own version of the data link called Link T reportedly already in the works. Furthermore, Saab’s offer reportedly also includes upgrades of the air force’s Saab 340 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft without charge. The upgrades would typically cost an estimated US$146 million.
The RTAF currently operates one squadron of Gripen C/D multi-role fighters. Once in operation, the new Gripen E/F fighters will operate alongside Thailand’s existing Gripen fighter force. Thailand’s Cabinet approved the purchase amidst its border row with Cambodia last August in which two Gripens from Wing 7 were used to strike targets.–shp/adj/dl (Pix:RTAF)