Report Thailand Chooses Swedish Gripen Jets Over US F-16s

[webfact]

Gripen JAS 39. File photo courtesy of Wikipedia

 

The Royal Thai Air Force has announced plans to acquire 12 advanced Gripen JAS 39 fighter jets from Sweden's Saab over a decade. This decision comes after the air force chief, ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul, highlighted the strategic benefits over the US-made F-16s.

 

The first procurement phase is set for this August, with a budget of 19.5 billion baht (approximately 20.9 billion Thai Baht).

 

The air force's top brass expressed a preference for the Gripens due to their potential governmental advantages. Earlier this year, the Thai Air Force transformed a Songkhla road into an emergency landing strip for a Gripen jet, underscoring its operational readiness.

 

Saab's CEO, Micael Johansson, expressed enthusiasm for Thailand's decision, asserting that the Gripen E/F models are the ideal choice for Thailand's future aerial capabilities.

 

Thailand's shift to Swedish aircraft comes despite its historical military ties with the United States. Originally, Thailand was eyeing eight of America's advanced F-35 fighter jets.

 

However, Washington refused the sale, citing concerns over training and technical requirements for maintenance compatibility.

 

The Gripen's proposed benefits appear to align strongly with Thailand’s defence objectives, offering independent airpower capabilities. Although no contract has been signed yet, Saab remains committed to advancing the procurement process.

 

This marks a significant step for Thailand, as the nation balances between its traditional alliances and practical defence needs.

 

Thailand is designated a Major Non-NATO Ally by the US, a status reaffirmed in 2023, yet the decision to pass on the F-35 jets reflects the complexities in defence cooperation. The United States continues to reserve F-35 sales for its closest partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-05

 

 

[JoePai]

Sensible choice for once 

[Yagoda]

2 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Sensible choice for once 

Exactly. SE Asia doesnt need the advanced planes

[MarkBR]

European countries aerospace industries are so very grateful to Trump for driving customers away from the USA.😁🤣🙏

[BritScot]

43 minutes ago, MarkBR said:

European countries aerospace industries are so very grateful to Trump for driving customers away from the USA.😁🤣🙏

Why? Because the USA refused to sell Thailand ther latest jets! I would imagine if and its a big IF Sweden agrees to sell its jets to Thai/China they will be stripped of all the latest tech first!!! Just remember the headlines "Thailand set to buy USA jets F16". Just to be told "No!" By the USA!!@

[NickyLouie]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

 

 

However, Washington refused the sale, citing concerns over training and technical requirements for maintenance compatibility.

 

 

i.e. Somchai cannot fly or maintain them and USA is a tad busy ......

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, BritScot said:

Why? Because the USA refused to sell Thailand ther latest jets! I would imagine if and its a big IF Sweden agrees to sell its jets to Thai/China they will be stripped of all the latest tech first!!! Just remember the headlines "Thailand set to buy USA jets F16". Just to be told "No!" By the USA!!@

F 16, are you sure about that?

[klauskunkel]

On 6/5/2025 at 3:56 AM, webfact said:

ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul, highlighted the strategic benefits over the US-made F-16s

while some other benefits were kept in the dark.

[newbee2022]

Good decision. Out of control by US !

Europe should do same.

Gripen, Raffale, Eurofighter...All much better than F16

[hotchilli]

On 6/5/2025 at 9:22 AM, JoePai said:

Sensible choice for once 

At least they'll take delivery of the jets, unlike other military orders which are still pending.

[lordgrinz]

Just now, hotchilli said:

At least they'll take delivery of the jets, unlike other military orders which are still pending.

 

But will they come with engines? I mean they could park them on the aircraft carrier and pretend to scare the neighbors.

[Look Chang]

56 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Good decision. Out of control by US !

Europe should do same.

Gripen, Raffale, Eurofighter...All much better than F16

Totally agreed, good choice for Thailand to buy European jets.  

[wensiensheng]

Part of the equation of the rest of the world stepping up it’s defence spending at the insistence of the USA, should be to spend money on non USA manufactured goods so as to increase production capacity in places other than USA.

 

So on a macro level, I’d say this is a good decision. Whether it makes sense for Thailand specifically or will ever actually happen, I have no idea.

[harryviking]

😂This will create an anger tantrum at an office in the USA!  🤣 Loved it! Cheaper and top quality fighter jets! Well done Thailand!😄

[sgtsabai]

They are a good choice. Very practical aircraft. Of course, will the deal go through and how soon? The problem, China will be happy to have one so they can build counter measures sooner.

[Mavideol]

brother XI will not be happy, they shouldn't expect any big numbers of Chinese tourists 555

[Iron Tongue]

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Good decision. Out of control by US !

Europe should do same.

Gripen, Raffale, Eurofighter...All much better than F16

Really?

And what are your qualifications to declare "All much better than F16"?

Which block F-16s are you talking about?   Do you know what " block" means and how much they affect the capabilities of a 50-year old design?

The F-16, flown by all allies has a 76-1 record vs Russian/Soviet/Chinese jets, what records do the others have?

...or perhaps you are merely talking out of your backside?

[newbee2022]

6 minutes ago, Iron Tongue said:

Really?

And what are your qualifications to declare "All much better than F16"?

Which block F-16s are you talking about?   Do you know what " block" means and how much they affect the capabilities of a 50-year old design?

The F-16, flown by all allies has a 76-1 record vs Russian/Soviet/Chinese jets, what records do the others have?

...or perhaps you are merely talking out of your backside?

Look, if you want to communicate with me you should do it in an appropriate way. 

Since you can't....look for an idiot. It's not me 

[PopGun]

The 'Gripen' uses an American made Engine.

The maintenance of the engines will require spare parts from America.

 

Just saying 🤷‍♂️

[Negita43]

On 6/4/2025 at 9:56 PM, webfact said:

with a budget of 19.5 billion baht (approximately 20.9 billion Thai Baht).

??????

[tomazbodner]

19 hours ago, BritScot said:

Why? Because the USA refused to sell Thailand ther latest jets! I would imagine if and its a big IF Sweden agrees to sell its jets to Thai/China they will be stripped of all the latest tech first!!! Just remember the headlines "Thailand set to buy USA jets F16". Just to be told "No!" By the USA!!@

F16 was launched on August 17, 1978...

[FritsSikkink]

19 hours ago, BritScot said:

 I would imagine if and its a big IF Sweden agrees to sell its jets to Thai/China they will be stripped of all the latest tech first!!! 

Did you even read the article?

"

Saab's CEO, Micael Johansson, expressed enthusiasm for Thailand's decision, asserting that the Gripen E/F models are the ideal choice for Thailand's future aerial capabilities...................Although no contract has been signed yet, Saab remains committed to advancing the procurement process.

[Fortean1]

The lack of a comprehensive maintenance plan by the Royal Thai Air Force precluded selling F-35s.  There are probably around 12 countries globally that qualify in that regard.  Besides Thailand is too close, literally and figuratively to 'Big Brother' China.

[impulse]

Does Sweden have a FCPA?

 

[SpaceKadet]

4 hours ago, sgtsabai said:

They are a good choice. Very practical aircraft. Of course, will the deal go through and how soon? The problem, China will be happy to have one so they can build counter measures sooner.

They already have access to 12 (now 11), since 2011.

It's not very easy to reverse-engineer advanced military war tech.

Unless you are a Chinese engineer employed on the design of the F-22, then later go back to motherland and create J-20. Oh, those stupid gullible Americans....

[SpaceKadet]

7 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

But will they come with engines? I mean they could park them on the aircraft carrier and pretend to scare the neighbors.

Smart thinking Batman! And not far from the reality. The JAS-39 is using GE F414G engine, which is made under license and modified by Volvo FM. In theory, US could block the sale of the engine, same as they were trying to do on the JAS-39 Colombia deal.

IMO, the JAS-39 should never have used an American engine, and instead used the excellent engines from Rafale or Typhoon fighters, or let Volvo FM develop a new local engine like they did for the Swedish J-35 Draken and J-37 Viggen.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

The Gripen is basic and reliable and easier to maintain and fly - perfect for Thai air force. The F16 is the 'base model' of the USA fighter jets but is heavier and not so easy to fly.  Both are fairly equal overall in the capability - but the Gripen is generally cheaper.  There is no way USA will allow countries like Thailand to have the top tier weapons technology that Thailand wanted in the F16 - and which Gripen does not have anyway.  While the F35 is light years ahead as a base level plane - it is the weapon systems that truly make it stand out - and very few countries get the top tier versions of that systems technology (UK, Australia as examples).  Thailand wanted the F16 with all the bells and whistles it is capable of having - not a chance that would ever happen. 

[NoDisplayName]

Thailand Chooses Swedish Gripen Jets Over US F-16s

 

Uh-oh!

 

Sanctions and tariffs incoming..............

[Iron Tongue]

11 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Look, if you want to communicate with me you should do it in an appropriate way. 

Since you can't....look for an idiot. It's not me 

I am communicating appropriately. 

I've used facts based on actual, real-world combat records.

You jumped-in making wild claims based-on an obvious lack of understanding the subject.  Or history.

 

My assumption about what part of your body your claims comes from, stands.

 

 

 

[CanadaSam]

I would like somebody, anybody, to do a very simple calculation.

 

The amount agreed upon to buy one gripen, converted to usd.

 

Then, the sale price of the same aircraft, as listed openly on the net by all other countries that purchased them.