The Swedish defense procurement authority has signed a deal with Saab worth 5.3 billion kronor ($500 million) to provide Thailand with four new Gripen fighters. The contract covers three Gripen E and one Gripen F, as well as logistics, training, and after-sales support.
Deliveries of the jets are scheduled to occur between 2025 and 2030. Thailand’s acquisition committee selected the Gripen after a comprehensive 10-month review, ultimately preferring it over the U.S.-built F-16.
The approval comes amid heightened regional security concerns, following recent border clashes with Cambodia that claimed over 40 lives. The incident accelerated the urgency of securing advanced fighters to bolster Thailand’s national defense posture.
Currently, the Royal Thai Air Force operates 11 Gripen C/D fighters alongside aging F-16s from the 1980s. The new procurement reflects a strategic modernization drive, aimed at expanding Thailand’s Gripen fleet while ensuring interoperability and future readiness.
