Gripen NG for Royal Thai Air Force

On 27 August 2024, The Kong Thap Akat Thai (RTAF, Royal Thai Air Force) selection committee announced that they have chosen the Saab 39E/F Gripen Next Generation fighter aircraft as replacement for the ageing F-16A/B Fighting Falcon, which is already in service since 1988.

After studying additional details submitted by Saab and Lockheed Martin, the Gripen NG is favoured over the US made F-16C/D Block 70/72.

No details were given on the exact number of aircraft involved, but earlier it was reported that the air force has been seeking to buy four new fighter aircraft to start replacing twelve old F-16s that are due to be decommissioned in the near future. The procurement still needs final approval by the new defence minister and the cabinet, which is expected to be formed in the coming days following the recent election of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

This acquisition is the first phase of the fighter replacement procurement programme in the fiscal year 2025-2029. So when the acquisition of the Gripen NG, we can expect follow on orders.

In July 1987, Thailand was given approval for the purchase of the F-16. A letter of agreement was signed in December 1987 for the purchase of eight F-16As and four F-16Bs under the Peace Naresuan I Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. Three more Peace Naresuan programmes followed with the final aircraft, out of a total of 54 aircraft, were delivered in July 2003. In 2005, Thailand received seven former Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16A/Bs that were donated by the Singapore government. The RTAF equipped three squadrons with the Fighting Falcon.

Credit photos: Oscar Vis (Scramble Archive) and Teerawut Wongdee (via planespotters.net)