The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is unique amongst air forces in the region to have fully operationalized a complete integrated air defence system featuring Saab Gripen fighters, Saab 340 Erieye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and other sensors and surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, which are all integrated with a secure national datalink system that connects assets in the air, on land and at sea. This makes the RTAF more than just a customer operating an advanced fighter type but the owner of an advanced air defence network that is unique not only in the region but also beyond. The RTAF’s Gripens are operated by 701 Sqn, part of Wing 7 at Surat Thani, a strategic base in Thailand’s south.
Thailand is one of Saab’s most significant global customers and company officials are confident of future market prospects. “Saab is able to offer high-end military equipment and technologies at a competitive price with a long-term commitment for maintenance and support,” said a company official, who added that there will be a greater requirement for Thailand for Transfer of Technology (ToT) in the future, whenever military equipment is procured with increase in the level of local sourcing. “We are able to meet the requirements from nations that desire a greater sovereign capability due to Sweden’s non-aligned status,” the official emphasized. Saab’s presence in Thailand started in the mid-eighties, with the supply of key equipment such as Carl-Gustaf infantry weapons, Giraffe radars and RBS70 missile systems to the Thai military.
The RTAF’s Gripen, Erieye AEW system and tactical data links afford it with a network centric air defence capability. The Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) Frigate HTMS Naresuan was the first to be linked to the Gripen fighters, and this capability now extends to the RTN’s other warships and aircraft carriers. Strategic locations like Don Muang air base are also connected with radar stations across the nation. Saab has played a key role in assisting the RTAF in developing this sovereign national defence capability, which it developed, supplied and continues to support. A key aspect of this air defence network is the RTAF’s Gripen fleet, which is now entering its 11th year of operations.
An important upgrade to RTAF Gripens is the implementation of the latest MS20 capability upgrade, which was delivered in The MS20 upgrade further enhances Gripen’s operational capabilities by adding new radar and EW modes, enhanced navigation and safety features, several hardware and software changes to improve performance and avoid obsolescence and the ability to integrate new weapons options for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
The RTAF acquired its Gripen fleet under the ‘Peace Suvarnabhumi’ contract which came into effect in 2008 and was split into two parts; six Gripens were delivered in 2011 followed by a further six in 2013. The RTAF’s first Erieye AEW&C arrived in December 2010. The RTAF’s Gripen fleet has demonstrated high availability rates since induction and the squadron is renowned for delivering 100 per cent operational availability whenever required. 701 Sqn celebrated the milestone of 10,000 Gripen flight hours in 2018.
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