Gripen & Saab 340 mark 15 years at Surat Thani base

Thailand's Armed Forces Chief General Ukrit Boontanont led a ceremony on Monday, 20 July, marking 15 years since Gripen 39 C/D fighters and Saab 340 AEW/B aircraft entered service at Wing 7 in Surat Thani.

The event brought together Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, representatives of the armed services, former air force commanders and senior officers. Representatives of Sweden's embassy in Thailand, the Swedish Air Force, Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), Saab Thailand and Saab AB also attended.

Air displays and anniversary exhibition

The Air Force staged a Gripen 39 C/D flying display, a military formation flying demonstration and an Elephant Walk, in which aircraft taxi in formation on the ground.

An exhibition marking the 15th anniversary of the Gripen 39 C/D and Saab 340 AEW/B entering service was also held at the Surat Thani base.

General Ukrit said the aircraft had demonstrated their performance and value over the past 15 years in national-security duties. He said they were central to air-defence, surveillance, early-warning and intelligence-gathering missions, as well as joint operations involving Thailand's armed services.

He praised Air Force personnel for their work on security and border assignments, saying they had carried out their duties with strength, courage and professionalism, including during the defence of the kingdom in 2025.

Border role highlighted

The Gripen 39 C/D is operated by Squadron 701 for sovereignty patrols, air-strike missions, annual Air Force exercises and training with partner nations. The Air Force said the aircraft had also been used during the previous Thailand-Cambodia border conflict.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Saab 340 AEW/B aircraft, operated by Squadron 702, are used for airborne early-warning, electronic reconnaissance and air transport missions. Their duties also include security along royal travel routes, protection of important persons, the Phithak Chakraphong 68 operation, exercises and the earlier Thailand-Cambodia border conflict, according to the Air Force.

General Ukrit called on personnel to continue developing their capabilities so that the Air Force remained an "Unbeatable Air Force" - ready, modern and trusted by the public - capable of protecting Thailand's independence, sovereignty and national interests.

The Air Force said its aircraft would stand ready to defend Thai sovereignty and prevent encroachment on even "a single square inch" of the country.

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21 July 2026