Duncan Looi
THAILAND is moving forward with plans for the second phase of acquiring Gripen E/F fighter jets from Sweden’s Saab for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), this was confirmed by RTAF chief Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha recently.
The second phase would build on the initial contract which covers three single-seat Gripen E and one two-seat Gripen F aircraft as well as associated equipment, support and training which was announced last August. However, the second procurement still remains in the planning stage, with further budget approval and contractual arrangements required before it can move forward. According to the ACM, funding for the acquisition will be provided in the 2027 fiscal budget, emphasising that manned fighter aircraft remained necessary as critical decisions in complex situations still required human judgment, particularly in life-and-death situation. He also stressed that the quality and number of aircraft have to be sufficient in order to safeguard the kingdom’s sovereignty against potential threats.
Overall, the RTAF is looking to acquire 12 Gripen E/Fs over three phases to replace its current fleet of aging F-16 fighters which have been scheduled for gradual retirement between 2028 and 2035. In the meantime, the first new Gripen E/F are expected to arrive in 2029 as the first unit entered production in May at Sweden’s facility. Saab will also deliver a long-term offset package to Thailand as part of the fighter acquisition plan, including significant transfer of defence technology and industrial cooperation with Thailand together with new investments across many sectors of the national economy.
Before August ended, Saab completed the first flight of its Gripen F, remaining airborne for 40 minutes over the skies of Linkoping at the controls of the company’s chief test pilot and a Brazilian Air Force test pilot. The inaugural sortie successfully verified the functionality of the aircraft core systems and its initial flight performance and moves into the airborne phase of its test campaign.
The Gripen E and 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 was also said to include upgrades of the air force’s Saab 340 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft without charge, upgrades that 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. Last week, Thailand’s Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana completed her first solo flight in a Gripen fighter jet, witnessed by the King–Maha Vajiralongkorn. According to the RTAF, the Queen has accumulated 10.13 hours in a Gripen-–shp/adj/dl (Pix:RTAF)
