Thailand will purchase four Swedish-made Gripen E/F fighter jets as part of a US$595 million deal to replace its aging fleet of F-16 aircraft, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) announced at a press conference in Bangkok on Tuesday 4 June 2025.
The procurement marks the first phase of a planned 12-aircraft replacement program. According to RTAF Commander-in-Chief, Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul, the Gripen jets will help modernize the country’s air defense capabilities while ensuring public funds are managed transparently and efficiently. A contract with the Swedish government is expected to be signed by August 2025, with pilot and technician training starting shortly thereafter.
Swedish Ambassador to Thailand, Anna Hammargren, joined the press conference alongside senior representatives from Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), Saab Aeronautics, and the British Embassy. Ambassador Hammargren emphasized the long-standing defense partnership between Thailand and Sweden, dating back to the initial Gripen C/D deal signed in 2008.
“This partnership extends far beyond air force capability development,” said Hammargren.
“It includes industrial cooperation and education, and will bring benefits to Thailand for decades to come.”
The new Gripen E/F aircraft come equipped with advanced radar, electronic warfare systems, and Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles. The RTAF cited the jets’ next-generation capabilities and 30-year expected operational lifespan as key reasons for the selection.
According to Air Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee, the deal includes defense offsets valued at over 100 billion baht—approximately 155% of the contract’s cost. These offsets will support domestic defense industry development, personnel training, and academic cooperation between Thailand and Sweden.
The Gripen program is designed to gradually phase out Thailand’s older F-16 aircraft, which have been in service for more than 37 years and are scheduled for decommissioning between 2028 and 2035.
Source: Khaosodenglish.com
[…] logistiques, de chaînes de formation et de simulateurs pleinement compatibles. Elle confirme en 2025 l’acquisition sur 10 ans de 12 Gripen E/F, dont la première tranche comprends 4 appareils pour 596 millions de dollars (≈149 M$/unité). […]