The Royal Thai Air Force has sealed a 5.3B SEK ($500M) deal with Sweden’s Saab to procure four Gripen jets — three Gripen E and one Gripen F — along with training, support, and equipment. Deliveries will span 2025–2030, bolstering Thailand’s air defense after its decision to select the Gripen over the US F-16 following a 10-month review. The acquisition, greenlit after recent border clashes with Cambodia, forms part of Bangkok’s strategy to modernize its air combat fleet. The air force already operates 11 Gripen C/D jets, meaning the newer E/Fs will integrate into an existing ecosystem, improving readiness and extending the service’s operational flexibility.
