Saab swoops to supply Gripen jets to RTAF in 19-billion-baht deal

[webfact]

 

Saab AB, the Swedish aerospace company, yesterday announced its intention to supply Gripen fighter jets to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The company’s proposal aligns with the Thai government’s offset policy and other requirements for national capability development set by the RTAF.

 

The offset policy mandates that suppliers of new military equipment to Thailand provide equal economic evaluations in bilateral trade.

 

The RTAF has outlined plans to procure new fighter jets under a 19-billion-baht budget in the forthcoming fiscal year. The procurement scheme is a part of the RTAF’s white paper, a document detailing development objectives. The scheme is scheduled for Cabinet review on April 2.

The RTAF is reportedly considering Sweden’s Gripen E/F and the US’s F-16 Block 70 aircraft for procurement. A decision on which jet offers better value for money is expected to be made by a selection committee in May or June.

The white paper also includes a proposal to acquire a new squadron of fighter jets in the next fiscal year, beginning Oct 1. The RTAF is planning to retire 102 Squadron’s old F-16s at Wing 1 and replace them with 12 new fighter jets, along with introducing several all-domain development projects.

 

Robert Hewson, Strategic Communications Director Saab Aeronautics, addressed the Thai media at Saab’s Bangkok headquarters. He explained that the Gripen has the most advanced range of weapons and capabilities compared to other competing fighters. He added that expanding Thailand’s existing Gripen fighters would maximise operational effect while minimising lifecycle costs for the RTAF.

 

Hewson also emphasised the broader benefits of the Swedish offer.

 

“The Swedish offer is a high-technology platform for a major, sustainable, strategic partnership to create high-quality jobs, increase exports and develop new capabilities that are relevant to all of Thailand.”

 

Previously, the RTAF had procured a fleet of 12 Gripen fighters stationed at Wing 7 in Surat Thani, although one was lost in a crash. Hewson dismissed rumours that the Gripen proposal would include an option for a submarine, reported Bangkok Post.

 

by Mitch Connor

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-27

 

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[mfd101]

As long as someone somewhere in the Thai government and RTAF understands that, whichever of the 2 on offer they decide on, it's a multi-decade commitment ... and not just militarywise.

 

The decision will have - or should have - major & ongoing economic and industrial implications for Thailand.

[bamnutsak]

8 minutes ago, webfact said:

The offset policy mandates that suppliers of new military equipment to Thailand provide equal economic evaluations in bilateral trade.

 

So what does Sweden have to swallow?

[digbeth]

12 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

 

So what does Sweden have to swallow?

 

Berry Pickers? 

[Georgealbert]

It would appear that this is just phase 1 of the 3 phase plan under the RTAF Symposium 2024 White Paper, submitted to the government.

 

https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/2024/03/the-royal-thai-air-force-unveils-strategic-procurement-plans/

[stoner]

imagine the good this money could do to combat pm2.5 in thailand. 

[NanLaew]

19 minutes ago, stoner said:

imagine the good this money could do to combat pm2.5 in thailand. 

 

there are no pm2.5 issues inside a fighter plane (or optional submarine)

[stoner]

18 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

there are no pm2.5 issues inside a fighter plane (or optional submarine)

 

damn they come with hepa filters now. good buy then i take it back. 

[mancub]

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

 

So what does Sweden have to swallow?

 

1 hour ago, digbeth said:

 

Berry Pickers? 

Berry pickers without visas ?

[dinsdale]

From the SAAB website. Not exactly what I would call tailor made for Thailand.

https://www.saab.com/products/gripen-e-series

Gripen E-series is a new fighter aircraft system. Developed to counter and defeat advanced future threats, the E-series is for customers with more pronounced threats or wider territories to secure.

[Liverpool Lou]

8 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

From the SAAB website. Not exactly what I would call tailor made for Thailand.

https://www.saab.com/products/gripen-e-series

Maybe they'll go for the Gripen F as the OP mentioned...

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

The RTAF is reportedly considering Sweden’s Gripen E/F

 

[dinsdale]

23 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Maybe they'll go for the Gripen F as the OP mentioned...

 

 

Gripen E/F is the model. It's the latest addition to the E series.

Edited March 27 by dinsdale

[Liverpool Lou]

6 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

25 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Maybe they'll go for the Gripen F as the OP mentioned...

 

 

Gripen E/F is the model. It's the latest addition to the E series.

The "F" is an alternative model to the "E".

[dinsdale]

14 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

The "F" is an alternative model to the "E".

https://thaimilitaryandasianregion.wordpress.com/2016/02/22/saab-gripen-e-details/

Edited March 27 by dinsdale

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Saab AB, the Swedish aerospace company, yesterday announced its intention to supply Gripen fighter jets to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The company’s proposal aligns with the Thai government’s offset policy and other requirements for national capability development set by the RTAF.

A good aircraft... 

[ourmanflint]

Waste of money. Thailand does not need any fighters at all, as it never ever takes a stand on anything

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The offset policy mandates that suppliers of new military equipment to Thailand provide equal economic evaluations in bilateral trade.

Interesting provision. Maybe a FTA in the works with Sweden? Another trip for PM Srettha?

If so I hope in light of possible amendments to Thailand's constitution that he takes a close look at Sweden's constitutional monarchy dating from 1809 and how it's Riksdag functions. In 2023 Sweden was the third most electoral democratic country in the world as a "full democracy." 

[Purdey]

I do hope Saab includes engines...

[SpaceKadet]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

... "Hewson dismissed rumours that the Gripen proposal would include an option for a submarine, reported Bangkok Post." ...

 

 

I really hope they don't sell them any subs. Really wouldn't want advanced Swedish wartech that "sunk" US' latest and greatest aircraft carrier three times without being found to go to China. 

[VocalNeal]

5 hours ago, stoner said:

damn they come with hepa filters now.

 

Their cars had them decades ago.🤔

 

In a related story:-

Quote

 

 "This Saab refreshes the air other cars leave behind.

 

"Incredible but true.

"Proved by government scientists, no less, when they conducted tests in the City of London last autumn. Thanks to its unique Trionic engine management system, exhaust emissions from a Saab 900CS 2.3 litre Turbo were found to have lower levels of both hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides than were found in the surrounding air." 

 

 

Edited March 27 by VocalNeal

[expat_4_life]

45 minutes ago, SpaceKadet said:

 

I really hope they don't sell them any subs. Really wouldn't want advanced Swedish wartech that "sunk" US' latest and greatest aircraft carrier three times without being found to go to China. 

Nobody wants advanced tech falling into China hands.  Of course the naive high tech moguls that have moved their production to China and elsewhere (chips, phones, etc) have fallen victim to the lure of low cost production though it seems they did not think about the long term consequences.

How long do you think the domestic Swedish defense industry will last, now that they have become a NATO member?  Is the Gripen destined to become a relic of days past as NATO countries (Sweden just joined) slowly and inexorably get pushed to buy US military equipment?  F-35s anyone?
 

Edited March 27 by expat_4_life

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

1 hour ago, Purdey said:

I do hope Saab includes engines...

 

Perhaps the three-cylinder two-strokes they used in the 96 back in the day. If so, they'll need to throw in the freewheeling transmission.

[SpaceKadet]

5 hours ago, expat_4_life said:

Nobody wants advanced tech falling into China hands.  Of course the naive high tech moguls that have moved their production to China and elsewhere (chips, phones, etc) have fallen victim to the lure of low cost production though it seems they did not think about the long term consequences.

How long do you think the domestic Swedish defense industry will last, now that they have become a NATO member?  Is the Gripen destined to become a relic of days past as NATO countries (Sweden just joined) slowly and inexorably get pushed to buy US military equipment?  F-35s anyone?
 

Well, for starters, JAS39 is currently absolutely the best Gen4 multirole fighter jet. The jet turn around time, fully refueled and rearmed is under 15 minutes. Compare that with over 2 hours for F-16, which also requires proper airfields and highly trained technical staff. And I have no doubt that the Swedish defense industry will last, even with NATO membership, just like German, French and UK, just to mention a few. The biggest obstacle is the Swedish government, which need to approve every wartech export.

 

In fact, just look at what Swedish wartech offerings are, just state of the art stuff!!! And, BTW, that Swedish sub did "sink" USS Ronald Regan three times during naval war games. https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/tiny-swedish-sub-took-down-an-entire-us-aircraft-carrier

 

Also, F-35 is just overblown piece of donkeys droppings. USAF should have kept F-22, as they should have kept Comanche helicopter.

Edited March 27 by SpaceKadet

[Martin71]

The people in charge will buy whatever aircraft will give them the biggest margin of cash to steal/skim off the top...

[Aviatorhi]

13 hours ago, stoner said:

imagine the good this money could do to combat pm2.5 in thailand. 

That's not how economics or budgeting works. And military hardware is the kind of stuff everyone likes to claim is a waste of money - UNTIL THEY NEED IT. 

[josephbloggs]

7 hours ago, expat_4_life said:

Nobody wants advanced tech falling into China hands.  Of course the naive high tech moguls that have moved their production to China and elsewhere (chips, phones, etc) have fallen victim to the lure of low cost production though it seems they did not think about the long term consequences.

How long do you think the domestic Swedish defense industry will last, now that they have become a NATO member?  Is the Gripen destined to become a relic of days past as NATO countries (Sweden just joined) slowly and inexorably get pushed to buy US military equipment?  F-35s anyone?
 

NATO members can buy or sell whatever military equipment they want. Obviously restrictions on who they can to sell to (although the US usually finds a way to sell to juntas or whoever they like).

Why would the Gripen have to be retired because they joined NATO?

[mikebell]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

A decision on which jet offers better value for money is expected to be made by a selection committee in May or June.

Meeting Agenda:

Item 1 - Commissions

Item 2 - see Item 1.

[Captor]

On 3/27/2024 at 10:14 AM, VocalNeal said:

 

Their cars had them decades ago.🤔

 

In a related story:-

 

Same with their vacuumcleaners..

[brianthainess]

On 3/27/2024 at 10:02 AM, stoner said:

imagine the good this money could do to combat pm2.5 in thailand. 

Agree like buying Choppers instead.

[liddelljohn]

Gripen is built by Saab and its a pan european project , Sweden, UK , Finland, and many others supplying parts , engines, weapons , electronics etc etc   its a system well integrated into Nato and also well respected  on export markets with  orders up to 2038 at present .

Thailand  already have it , so integration into RTAF would be easy and  its multirole and very capable with Gen 4.5+ in present iteration for Brazil  with future upgrades in pipeline .