Page 15 - Defense & Security 2023 - Day 1

Saab Eyeing Additional Orders,

Upgrade Contracts in Thailand

Saab is showcasing a selection of its sta- reflected in Thailand where Saab solutions service life and tactical ability. The RTAF
teof-the-art defence solutions at the ongoing are in operation at the country’s two largest has also expressed interest in acquiring
show, even as it looks to grow its existing airports. additional Gripen fighter jets and intends
relationships with the Thai armed forces. to keep its Saab 340 Erieyes operational
The company has been active in Thailand Speaking to Daily News, a Saab official well into the future. “This means we are
since the mid-1980s, and it is one of the informed that the company is eyeing op- aiming for an upgrade of the Erieye AEW
Swedish firm’s most important customer portunities for additional Gripen sales and aircraft which includes increased ability for
countries with a wide array of Saab prod- for several upgrade programmes includ- the Erieye radar and an on-board Command
ucts in service across every branch of the ing Erieye AEW, 9LV combat management and Control-unit (AEW&C),” the official said.
Royal Thai Armed Forces. This includes systems, Sea Giraffe radars, and upgrade Thailand’s Gripen fighters and Erieye air-
Gripen fighters, Erieye AEW aircraft, 9AIR and expansion of 9Air C4I. “For 9LV Naval borne surveillance systems are all connect-
C4I command-and-control and RBS 70 GBAD Combat systems and Sea Giraffe we are ed through a secure high-speed datalink net-
with the Royal Thai Air Force; Sea Giraffe also aiming for additional systems sales re- work that gives Thai command authorities
radars, CEROS 200 fire control and 9LV lated to Royal Thai Navy’s new frigates proj- full situational awareness across the entire
combat management systems with the ect. On the ground combat side, we see op- nation. This netcentric warfare capability is
Royal Thai Navy; plus, Carl-Gustaf ground portunities for further sales of Carl-Gustaf, one of very few complete systems actually
combat weapons and training and simu- and for additional training and simulation operational anywhere in the world.
lation systems with the Royal Thai Army. systems.” Saab is also well positioned for
Carl-Gustaf M3 is in service with Royal Thai further sales within Air Traffic Management,
armed forces and there has been interest in including Digital Tower solutions. At the ongoing show, some of the other
the Carl-Gustaf M4 as well, which is being Saab equipment on show include Network
showcased at this year’s Defence & Security. Centric Capabilities, the Gripen fighter,
Saab concluded the upgrade of Thailand’s Airborne Early Warning, Naval Combat
Saab’s weapon locating radar system Arthur is Gripen system to Materiel System 20 (MS20) Systems, mobile ground based air Defence
also on contract, and will soon be delivered in 2023 and the modifications involved re- (GBAD) system RBS 70 NG, ground combat
to the Royal Thai Navy. Saab’s world-leading placing hardware and upgrading software in weapon systems and the frontline of mod-
position in civil air traffic management is the aircraft, which has increased both their ern training.

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