Gripen-F-16 race in Thailand heats up at finish line

THE competition between Saab and Lockheed Martin for the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) new squadron of fighter aircraft is now heating up as the finish line approaches.

On July 10, the RTAF submitted their proposal to the Minister of Defence Sutin Klungsang and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, which saw the RTAF recommending the Saab-manufactured Gripen E/F over Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70/72. However, the final decision will come down to the PM who stressed a like-for-like comparison between both aircraft.

He reiterated that the government is awaiting the revised offset policies from both manufacturers before a decision can be made, the offset is a vital part of the deal along with other reciprocal benefits for Thailand. Furthermore, he added that the government would not interfere in the RTAF’s decision-making process, stating that the final decision would have to be agreeable to both sides.

The US reportedly offered to lower the interest rates for the acquisition of the F-16s, said to be lowered from 5% to 3.5% with an extended repayment period.-shp/adj/dl (Pix:USAF)