WASHINGTON, August 28/BreakingDefense/ — Thailand’s military has publicly endorsed the Saab Gripen E/F as its preferred choice for the country’s next-generation fighter jet, a decision the Swedish company has welcomed as “very positive,” though still preliminary.
In a statement posted on the Royal Thai Air Force’s official Facebook page, the Gripen was identified as the “most suitable” option for modernising its fleet. While the Thai government will make the final decision, and could potentially override the military’s recommendation, this endorsement marks a significant public show of support for the Swedish aircraft over its competitor, the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72.
A spokesperson for Saab confirmed the Air Force’s announcement, stating, “This is clearly very positive for Saab and for Sweden, but at this point, there is no contract or order in place. We look forward to continuing discussions with the Royal Thai Air Force and the authorities regarding future fighter capabilities for Thailand.”
Previous reports suggested the Air Force was leaning towards the Gripen, but this is the first official confirmation of that preference. According to the Bangkok Post, a key factor in the decision was the industrial offsets each manufacturer offered, though specifics of these deals remain undisclosed.
Reuters reports that the Thai government has allocated approximately $560 million to purchase four new jets between 2025 and 2029, with plans to acquire an additional eight by 2034. Thailand currently operates older versions of both the Gripen and the F-16, which should ease the transition for pilots to the next-generation aircraft, regardless of the final choice.
