Thai Air Force Poised to Select Swedish Gripen Jet

[webfact]

File: Saab JAS 39 Gripen. Courtesy: Wikipedia

 

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has neared a crucial decision to upgrade its fleet, with indications suggesting a preference for the Swedish-made Gripen fighter jet. According to RTAF commander Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul’s announcement on Monday, a final decision is anticipated by the end of the week.

 

Two fighter jets are under consideration: Sweden’s Gripen E and America’s F-16 Block 70. Saab AB, the Gripen’s manufacturer, and Lockheed Martin, producer of the F-16, have both submitted their final proposals, meeting the Thai government's offset policy requirements, according to Bangkok Post.

 

To ensure a meticulous evaluation, the RTAF has set up two panels to scrutinise the proposals. These panels’ assessments will guide the final decision, ACM Panpakdee stated.

 

Despite the official process not yet culminating, sources indicate a strong lean towards the Gripen. The main procurement committee reportedly favours the Swedish jet. Earlier assessments, conducted by the RTAF’s procurement committee in July, highlighted the Gripen as the most suitable option based on the air force's strategic needs.

One significant factor driving this preference is the comprehensive offset policy offered by Saab AB. This includes access to Saab’s tactical data link technology, which is highly valued by the RTAF for future integration. The air force has plans to develop its own version of this technology, named Link T.

 

Additionally, the Swedish offer includes a free upgrade of the RTAF’s 340 AEW air security surveillance radar system. This upgrade is valued at approximately five billion baht, presenting a notable bonus in favour of the Gripen.

 

As the RTAF awaits the new cabinet's approval of its selection, there is optimism that the forthcoming decision will align with the air force's long-term strategic objectives. This major procurement will likely bolster Thailand’s defence capabilities significantly.

 

-- 2024-08-27

 

 

Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

[Artisi]

Which one comes with the largest lunch box? 

[lom]

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

Which one comes with the largest lunch box? 

I'd guess none of them, they are likely to be government-to-government procurement's

[retarius]

I very much doubt it. The US will threaten sanctions.

[Liverpool Lou]

8 minutes ago, retarius said:

I very much doubt it. The US will threaten sanctions.

Sanctions...for what?   Cobblers.  

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, lom said:

I'd guess none of them, they are likely to be government-to-government procurement's

55555555

[PETERTHEEATER]

They should squeeze SAAB for free helium for the grounded Aerostat.😋

[Khyron]

The Gripen is a good choice, the F-16 is decent as well, but not as robust.

 

I am a bit biased against the F-16 to tell the truth, ever since Northrop lost the contract to sell the F-20 Tigershark vs the F-16. My family worked for Northrop then, and it was a letdown. They have since moved on to work on the B-2 afterwards.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, Artisi said:

Which one comes with the largest lunch box? 

Envelope?

[retarius]

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Sanctions...for what?   Cobblers.  

For not getting the business.....but called, you know, a threat to national security (no further information given). They are already looking at Thailand as a Currency manipulator. 

[Dcheech]

3 hours ago, retarius said:

5 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Sanctions...for what?   Cobblers.  

For not getting the business.....but called, you know, a threat to national security (no further information given). They are already looking at Thailand as a Currency manipulator. 

[Stocky]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Two fighter jets are under consideration: Sweden’s Gripen E and America’s F-16 Block 70

The Gripen is the obvious choice, Wing 7 already has 12 of them.

[Rhys]

USED Swedish jets?

 

[cowellandrew]

6 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

They should squeeze SAAB for free helium for the grounded Aerostat.😋

I dont think they need helium any more!

 

Maybe laughing gas for the sub deal

 

[cowellandrew]

2 hours ago, Stocky said:

The Gripen is the obvious choice, Wing 7 already has 12 of them.

Crikey 12 planes and 7 wings,

Is that like up a creek without a paddle 

☻🐒😁😬😂🐘🚀👮‍♂️😳🙈

[lordgrinz]

I am sure the US government is not too keen on supplying Thailand too much access to technology that could very well be passed on to China.

 

Quote

One significant factor driving this preference is the comprehensive offset policy offered by Saab AB. This includes access to Saab’s tactical data link technology

 

Edited August 27 by lordgrinz

[Artisi]

13 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Envelope?

👍

[Liverpool Lou]

16 hours ago, Dcheech said:

20 hours ago, retarius said:

22 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Sanctions...for what?   Cobblers.  

For not getting the business.....but called, you know, a threat to national security (no further information given).

Garbage.  The US would not impose sanctions on Thailand (as the poster to whom I was responding claimed) just because it didn't get the contract for the aircraft.  Neither would it call losing the contract to Saab "a threat to national security".

[DrPhibes]

I know a young woman, very educated and world traveled, in the Thai aerospace sector.  Both of us agree, the fact that there is such low maintenance that the planes are not hardly available for training.  Bad training leads to...

[steven100]

On 8/27/2024 at 6:20 PM, Stocky said:

The Gripen is the obvious choice, Wing 7 already has 12 of them.

what only 7 wings given for 12 jets  ?   .......  that's not a good deal !!

[SpaceKadet]

The Chinese overlords already have access to F16s. Not so the latest JAS39.

The latest war tech in JAS39 must be mouth watering for the Uncles across the border.

 

But let's just hope that Thais get the SAAB software that will watch the pilots and not let them pull the stick while flying inverted at very low altitude.... we know what happens if they do...