US EditionBye Bye F-16? Thai Air Force Swaps American Muscle for Swedish Steel
THAILAND, AUG 5 – The $600 million deal follows border clashes with Cambodia and aims to replace 37-year-old F-16s with modern jets equipped with advanced radar and missile systems.
- Thailand's cabinet approved the purchase of four JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets on Aug 5 to strengthen the Royal Thai Air Force, a week after a ceasefire with Cambodia.
- On July 26, the Royal Thai Air Force deployed JAS 39C/D Gripen fighter jets in combat, marking their first use against Cambodian artillery during the deadliest border fighting in decades.
- A procurement committee began deliberations in August 2024 and after a 10-month review favoured the Scandinavian-made jets over American F-16s, with the process conducted transparently under a G2G agreement and offset policy.
- Later this month, Air Force Chief ACM Panpakdee Pattanakul will head to Sweden to finalise the procurement of four Gripen jets, with a contract signing scheduled for Aug 25.
- The modernisation plan includes the first phase with three Gripen E jets and one Gripen F, expected by 2029, as part of a 60 billion Thai Baht strategy to acquire twelve aircraft.
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The Thai government has approved a purchase of Jas 39 Gripen aircraft from Saab, the Thai Air Force writes on Facebook.
·Stockholm, Sweden
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Total News Sources23
Leaning Left3Leaning Right4Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
L 38%
13%
R 50%
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