Thailand Chooses JAS Gripen E/F: A New Chapter in the Skies
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has officially chosen Saab’s JAS Gripen E/F as its future multirole fighter – a bold move that not only upgrades the nation’s airpower but also shifts the strategic winds in Southeast Asia.
🛩️ From C/D to E/F – A Journey of Evolution
Thailand has been flying the Saab JAS Gripen C/D since 2011, with 11 aircraft forming the backbone of its modern fighter fleet. These jets have been flying alongside aging U.S.-made F-16s and F-5s – some dating back to the 1980s!
In 2022, the RTAF upgraded its Gripen C/Ds to the MS20 standard, enhancing radar, weapons systems, and combat capability. Still, the need for a next-gen solution was growing.
❌ F-35 Rejected – Time for Plan B
In 2023, Thailand requested the American F-35. But the U.S. declined, citing concerns over pilot training and maintenance readiness. This decision sparked a ten-month search for an alternative.
Enter: Saab’s Gripen E/F.
✅ Decision Confirmed – Gripen Gets the Green Light
In August 2024, the Thai Air Force announced its intent to go with the Gripen E/F. That decision was officially confirmed on June 4, 2025.
The plan? Thailand will acquire 12 JAS Gripen E/F aircraft over the next decade. The first phase, from 2025 to 2029, includes four jets at a cost of 19.5 billion baht (roughly $596 million USD), pending final government approval. If all goes to plan, the deal will be signed in August 2025.
🔧 Why JAS Gripen E/F?
Gripen E/F is a major leap forward. Key features include:
-
ES-05 Raven AESA radar
-
Infrared search and track (IRST)
-
Advanced electronic warfare (EW) suite
-
Open mission system architecture
-
General Electric F414 engine (Mach 2+, over 1,500 km combat radius)
Compared to rivals like the F-16 Block 70/72, Gripen’s open architecture means easier upgrades, lower maintenance costs, and greater flexibility for the operator. Most importantly, it gives Thailand more operational independence.
💼 Offsets, Jobs, and Strategic Benefits
Saab’s offer isn’t just about jets. It includes a long-term offset package aimed at boosting Thailand’s defense industry, creating jobs, and attracting investment across various sectors.
It’s not just a deal – it’s a partnership.
🌐 A Strategic Shift?
Thailand’s move also carries geopolitical weight. Historically aligned with U.S. defense systems, the choice of Gripen signals a pivot toward diversification. With the U.S. saying “no” to F-35s, Thailand found a reliable and strategic partner in Sweden.
“JAS Gripen E/F is the best solution to provide Thailand with independent airpower for the future, which will contribute significantly to the nation’s safety and security,” said Saab CEO Micael Johansson.
🛫 What’s Next?
All eyes are now on the Thai parliament, which must approve the budget. If greenlit, the deal will be signed in August and deliveries of the first four jets will follow between 2025–2029.
This is more than a defense deal. It’s a statement: Thailand is investing in the future – one Gripen at a time.
Thailand has been operating the Saab JAS 39 Gripen since 2011, when the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) first took delivery of the multirole fighter jets from Sweden. The current fleet consists of 11 aircraft, including seven single-seat Gripen C and four two-seat Gripen D models. These aircraft are based at Wing 7 Air Base in Surat Thani, in southern Thailand, which serves as the home of the Gripen squadron and the central hub for operations, maintenance, and training. In 2022, all aircraft underwent a significant upgrade to the MS20 standard, enhancing their radar systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and compatibility with modern weapons, including beyond-visual-range missiles.
Remarkably, just a few months ago in early 2025, Thailand showcased the operational flexibility of its Gripens by conducting highway landings and takeoffs—a capability that allows the jets to operate from non-traditional runways in the event of a conflict or infrastructure damage. The exercise demonstrated the RTAF’s increasing emphasis on dispersed operations and self-reliance, and the Gripen’s design—optimized for rugged conditions and short-field performance—proved perfectly suited for the task. This capability is one of the many reasons the Gripen remains a strategic asset in Thailand’s evolving defense posture.
ad
news via inbox
stay informed
