Sweden’s defense procurement agency has signed a deal with Saab to supply four Gripen fighter jets to Thailand.
The 5.3-billion Swedish kronor ($500 million) deal includes three Gripen E and one Gripen F aircraft, associated equipment, support, and training.
Deliveries are scheduled between 2025 and 2030.
“We welcome Thailand as the latest customer for Gripen E/F. Thailand is already a well-established Gripen user and familiar with the strengths that Gripen brings to the Royal Thai Armed Forces,” President and CEO of Saab Micael Johansson said.
“Thailand has chosen the most modern fighter on the market with which to build its next generation of strategic, independent capabilities.”
As part of the deal, Saab will deliver a long-term offset package to Bangkok, including significant defense technology transfer, industrial cooperation, and new investments across multiple sectors of the national economy.
Selected Over F-16
Thailand’s procurement committee selected the Gripen over the F-16 after a 10-month review concluded in August 2024.
The procurement was approved earlier this month following deadly border clashes with Cambodia that killed more than 40 people.
The approval is part of a long-term plan to modernize the Royal Thai Air Force’s combat capabilities.
The service already operates a squadron of 11 Gripen C/D multi-role fighters, along with several F-16s acquired in the 1980s.
