Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) has provided further details on its planned procurement of 12 Saab JAS 39 Gripen E/F fighter aircraft for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The acquisition aims to replace the ageing F-16A/B ADF aircraft operated by Squadron 102, Wing 1, Korat. The procurement will be carried out in three phases, beginning with a contract worth approximately 19.5 billion baht (USD 562.7 million) for three single-seat Gripen E fighters and one two-seat Gripen F. The subsequent phases will add three more Gripen E and one Gripen F aircraft, followed by four additional Gripen E aircraft.
As part of the deal, Thailand will also receive an unspecified number of MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs). Additionally, Swedish company Saab is expected to upgrade two Saab 340 ERIEYE AEW aircraft based at Squadron 702, Wing 7, Surat Thani. These upgrades will enhance the RTAF’s airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) capabilities. The Saab 340B ERIEYE aircraft were originally delivered to the Swedish Air Force in the 1990s and later transferred to Thailand between 2011 and 2014 as part of a previous Gripen C/D fighter procurement.
TAI has identified 14 offset proposals linked to the Gripen E/F acquisition. Seven of these proposals are direct offsets, which include the establishment of a Saab research and development office, the acquisition of intellectual property rights for the Tactical Data Link (Link-T), and the development of the Link-T system itself. Additional direct offsets will focus on strengthening the domestic aviation industry through aircraft upgrades, creating a Gripen E/F supply chain within Thailand, and developing both national-level and local maintenance capabilities, particularly at Wing 1, Korat.
The seven indirect offset proposals target broader economic and technological benefits, such as promoting foreign direct investment, advancing cyber technology development, establishing an innovation centre in Thailand, and supporting agricultural science. Other initiatives include education and vocational skills development, fostering cooperation in research and education, and enhancing English language skills through collaboration with the British Council.
It was stated by TAI that readiness is in place to support the development of the defence industry in cooperation with the Royal Thai Air Force across all dimensions through the defence compensation proposal, which is expected to result in the transfer of important technologies. The statement noted that human resource development and the advancement of various industries within the country will be promoted to create sustainable economic security and defence capabilities for Thailand.
Sweden’s Saab confirmed Thailand’s selection of the Gripen E/F fighter aircraft on 4 June 2024, with the RTAF formally announcing the decision in August 2024, choosing the Gripen E/F over the Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 70/72. The RTAF currently operates 11 Gripen C/D fighters at Squadron 701, Wing 7, Surat Thani, comprising seven single-seat Gripen C aircraft and four two-seat Gripen D aircraft.
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