Stockholm, August 27 - On August 25, 2025, Saab, a leading Swedish defense and security company, signed a significant contract with the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) to supply four Gripen E/F fighter aircraft to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), marking a pivotal step in Thailand’s ongoing air force modernization efforts. The order, valued at approximately SEK 5.3 billion (around $550 million USD), includes three single-seat Gripen E aircraft and one dual-seat Gripen F aircraft, along with associated equipment, support, and training services. Deliveries are scheduled to occur between 2025 and 2030, aligning with Thailand’s strategic plan to enhance its air defense capabilities. This acquisition builds on Thailand’s existing relationship with Saab, as the RTAF already operates a squadron of Gripen C/D fighters, delivered between 2011 and 2013, which have become a cornerstone of its combat fleet. The new Gripen E/F models, powered by General Electric F414-GE-39E engines, represent a technological leap, featuring advanced avionics, an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, and enhanced electronic warfare systems, designed to counter modern threats and ensure operational flexibility.
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The contract also encompasses a comprehensive long-term offset package, which underscores Saab’s commitment to fostering industrial and economic cooperation with Thailand. This package includes significant technology transfers, industrial collaboration, and investments across various sectors of the Thai economy, such as education, cybersecurity, and green technology initiatives. The offset strategy aligns with Thailand’s broader defense modernization framework, aiming to bolster not only its military capabilities but also its socio-economic development. The Gripen E/F aircraft, with their ability to carry advanced weaponry like Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles and precision-guided bombs, will enhance the RTAF’s operational readiness, particularly in light of regional security challenges. Thailand’s decision to procure these jets follows a competitive evaluation process, where the Gripen E/F was selected over the American F-16, highlighting the RTAF’s preference for deepening defense ties with Sweden and leveraging Saab’s advanced technology to maintain a strategic edge.
Thailand’s acquisition of the Gripen E/F is part of the Peace Burapha program, which aims to replace the RTAF’s aging fleet of F-16A/B Block 15 jets, acquired in the late 1990s, with modern multi-role fighters by 2035. The new aircraft will operate alongside the existing Gripen C/D squadron, creating a mixed fleet that combines proven operational capabilities with cutting-edge technology. The Gripen E/F’s design emphasizes interoperability, with NATO-standard Link 16 datalinks and rapid rearming capabilities, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into multinational operations and regional exercises. The aircraft’s ability to operate from austere airstrips and its low operational costs further enhance its appeal for Thailand, which seeks to maintain a robust yet cost-effective air force. The recent use of Gripen C/D fighters in a July 2025 border conflict with Cambodia, marking their first combat deployment, underscored their reliability and effectiveness, reinforcing Thailand’s confidence in the Gripen platform.
This order positions Thailand as the third operator of the Gripen E/F, following Sweden and Brazil, with Colombia also nearing a decision to adopt the platform. The Swedish parliament’s approval for the potential sale of up to 12 additional Gripens to Thailand signals the possibility of further expansion of the RTAF’s fleet. The contract’s strategic importance extends beyond military modernization, as it strengthens bilateral ties between Sweden and Thailand, fostering long-term collaboration in defense and technology. Saab’s ongoing presence in Thailand, dating back to the mid-1980s with systems like the Erieye airborne surveillance platform, further solidifies this partnership. As deliveries commence, the Gripen E/F will enhance Thailand’s ability to secure its airspace and respond to regional challenges, while the offset package promises to drive innovation and economic growth, positioning Thailand as a key player in the Asia-Pacific defense landscape.