Royal Thai Air Force selects Saab Gripen E/F as future multi-role fighter
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has officially confirmed its selection of the Saab Gripen E/F as its next-generation multi-role combat aircraft, signaling a major step forward in Thailand’s long-term defense modernization strategy.
In brief
The Royal Thai Air Force has selected Saab Gripen E/F multirole fighters as the basis of its future aircraft fleet. No contract or official order has yet been placed, and the procurement process is being conducted in cooperation with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration FMV. Saab's offer includes aircraft, equipment and a long-term offset package with investments and new jobs in Thailand. Thailand has operated the earlier Gripen C/D version since 2011, and Saab president Micael Johansson declared readiness for the next stages of the process.
The announcement, while not yet accompanied by a formal contract or order, initiates the next phase of negotiations between Saab, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), and the Kingdom of Thailand. The selected package includes not only the advanced Gripen E/F airframes but also associated systems and a comprehensive offset programme.
Saab’s offer promises long-term industrial and strategic benefits, aimed at enhancing Thailand’s national security, technological autonomy, and defense industry development. While specific details of the offset plan remain under discussion, it is expected to generate investment and job creation across various sectors of Thai society.
- We welcome the Royal Thai Air Force’s selection of Gripen E/F as its future fighter and look forward to progressing in the procurement process. Gripen will provide Thailand with truly independent airpower, strengthening its national defense posture for decades to come, said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.
Thailand has been operating the Gripen C/D since 2011, successfully integrating the platform into a network-centric defense framework. The upgraded Gripen E/F offers improved range, advanced sensor fusion, enhanced electronic warfare capabilities, and full interoperability with NATO and regional systems.
The decision comes amid growing regional focus on strategic self-reliance, airspace control, and next-gen combat readiness, particularly in light of evolving maritime security dynamics in Southeast Asia.
For Saab, the selection marks another significant milestone in Gripen’s export trajectory and confirms the fighter's relevance in complex threat environments, especially in the Indo-Pacific.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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