Thailand is advancing its ambitious plan to modernize its air force. The country’s air force recently announced that it will buy four more Gripen fighter jets from Sweden. These jets are made by the Swedish company SAAB.
Thailand Upgrades Its Air Force with Swedish Gripen Jets
This is just the first step in a larger plan to replace its older warplanes, most of which are from the United States.
Along with dozens of F-16 and F-5 aircraft built in the United States, Thailand already has 11 Gripen fighters. Some of these U.S. planes have been flying since the late 1980s, making them quite old in military terms. With this new deal, Thailand wants to strengthen its air power and prepare for the future.
The decision to buy the four new Gripen jets is part of a carefully planned project. The air force aims to eventually get 12 new fighter jets. But they are doing it in phases. In this first phase, they are spending 19.5 billion Thai baht, which equals about 596 million U.S. dollars.
The agreement for the four new jets is anticipated to be finalized in August, the air force said in a statement. This move shows Thailand’s trust in Sweden’s Gripen aircraft, which are known for being reliable and high-performing fighter jets.
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Gripen Jets and Thailand’s Current Air Fleet
The Gripen JAS 39 is a cutting-edge fighter jet that is quick and adaptable. It is designed to handle both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. It is also cost-effective and easy to maintain compared to many other fighter jets around the world. This makes it a good fit for a country like Thailand, which wants high quality but also has to consider its budget.
Thailand’s air force is already among the best in Southeast Asia. Along with the 11 Gripen jets, it also flies many U.S.-made fighter planes such as the F-16 and F-5. But the F-5s and some F-16s have been used for more than 30 years, which means they are nearing the end of their useful life.
By adding more Gripen jets, Thailand is not only boosting its defense strength but also replacing older planes that may soon be too outdated to use safely or effectively.
The plan to buy 12 new jets in total is part of a longer-term goal to make sure Thailand’s air force stays modern and ready for any situation. The four jets now being bought are just the beginning of that plan.
U.S. F-35 Rejection Led to Swedish Deal
Before deciding on the Swedish Gripen jets, Thailand had tried to buy American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets. These are regarded as some of the world’s most sophisticated jets. Thailand had intended to purchase up to eight F-35s from the US.
But in 2023, the United States turned down the request. The reasons included concerns about training and the technical ability to maintain the F-35s. These jets are very complex and need a strong support system to operate safely. The U.S. also has strict rules about who can buy the F-35. Only a few close allies in the Indo-Pacific region—like Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore—have been allowed to buy them.
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Although Thailand has a long military relationship with the United States and is even considered a Major Non-NATO Ally by Washington since 2023, the country was not approved for the F-35 deal.
After the rejection, Thailand looked to other options and chose to stick with Sweden’s Gripen jets. These jets are already in use in Thailand, so the air force already knows how to fly and maintain them. That makes it easier and faster to expand the current fleet with more of the same model.
The move also shows that Thailand is carefully managing its defense plans. Instead of waiting or pushing harder for the F-35s, it chose a path that works for its current needs and fits into its larger plan to modernize its air force step by step.