Report Gripen Fighter Jet Deal Still Alive, Says Thai Air Force

[webfact]

File photo courtesy of MGR online

 

The Thai Air Force has firmly refuted allegations that Sweden has halted the sale of Saab JAS 39 Gripen jets. This follows reports claiming the suspension was linked to their usage against Cambodian forces at the border.

 

In a statement on Facebook, the Air Force dismissed reports from the Phnom Penh Post, which suggested the transactions were paused after Thai air strikes hit Cambodian army targets. The Air Force clarified that these air strikes adhered to international combat rules and humanitarian principles.

 

The Thai military emphasised that recent operations had been defensive, targeting Cambodian military installations and avoiding harm to civilians. They also pointed out that Cambodian rockets had impacted civilian areas in Thailand, striking a hospital and homes, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

Sweden's Foreign Affairs Minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, stated that Stockholm is keeping an eye on the ongoing border tensions but did not clarify the status of the Gripen deal. The final decision rests with Sweden’s government and the Inspectorate of Strategic Products, responsible for regulating military exports.

 

Thailand aims to strengthen its air combat capabilities with the procurement of twelve Gripen jets, adding to its current fleet of eleven deployed at Wing 7 in Surat Thani. The proposed deal, at approximately 60 billion baht, involves three batches of four jets each.

 

Thai air marshals initially considered both the Gripen E/F and the US-made F-16 Block 70/72 but ultimately chose the Swedish fighters for strategic reasons.

 

Developments around this transaction remain crucial as Thailand seeks to enhance its air force amid ongoing border tensions.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-08-02

 

[dyertribe]

What sort of deal is this?  Sweden sells military hardware but the buyer isn’t allowed to use it?

I’d be buying from a different source. 

[VocalNeal]

Surely the prop driven attack aircraft based in Chiang Mai would be a better bet against pesky Khmer border interlopers.

[Peter Crow]

11 minutes ago, dyertribe said:

What sort of deal is this?  Sweden sells military hardware but the buyer isn’t allowed to use it?

I’d be buying from a different source. 

De Gaulle [AH] embargoed all weapons deliveries after Israel defended itself in 1967.

[Will B Good]

 

You would have thought this would be huge opportunity to advertise their aircraft in action?

[NanLaew]

24 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

De Gaulle [AH] embargoed all weapons deliveries after Israel defended itself in 1967.

 

I recall a similar kerfuffle after the Argentinian's used French-made Exocet missiles to catastrophic effect against the British navy during the Falklands spat.

[Peter Crow]

1 minute ago, NanLaew said:

 

I recall a similar kerfuffle after the Argentinian's used French-made Exocet missiles to catastrophic effect against the British navy during the Falklands spat.

Different situation, French engineers fully supported the Argentinian air force during the operations that sunk the Sheffield and the Atlantic conveyor. They were just to happy to have real life [or death] fedback on the Etendar/Exocet system.

 

De Gaulle was a traitor while Aerospatiale were cynical, with some glee probably, as Maggie was into her "I want my money back" rants. Which probably inspired Trump.

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

Different situation, French engineers fully supported the Argentinian air force during the operations that sunk the Sheffield and the Atlantic conveyor. They were just to happy to have real life [or death] fedback on the Etendar/Exocet system.

 

De Gaulle was a traitor while Aerospatiale were cynical, with some glee probably, as Maggie was into her "I want my money back" rants. Which probably inspired Trump.

 

de Gaulle died on 9 November 1970.

[NanLaew]

12 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

de Gaulle died on 9 November 1970.

 

Correct, but...

 

53 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

De Gaulle [AH] embargoed all weapons deliveries after Israel defended itself in 1967.

 

Hope this helps.

 

[Will B Good]

6 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Correct, but...

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

How does De Gaulle's pro-Arab stance in banning arms to Israel have any bearing on the matter.....you've totally lost me.

[spidermike007]

Outstanding news. Any excuse to just say no to the US, their military industrial complex, and their overarching, highly arrogant hubris at this stage of the game is a great thing, and should be supported.

 

Smart. Very smart. Just say no to the circus goon who constantly overestimates not only his own importance, but the importance of America, which he is causing to decline by the day. 

[transam]

1 hour ago, VocalNeal said:

Surely the prop driven attack aircraft based in Chiang Mai would be a better bet against pesky Khmer border interlopers.

A10........🤗

[newbee2022]

Yes, buy it. Be independent from Donnie.

Or did you promise him to buy the F35? This one which likes to crash often?

[NanLaew]

41 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

How does De Gaulle's pro-Arab stance in banning arms to Israel have any bearing on the matter.....you've totally lost me.

 

Maybe ask @Peter Crow?

[VocalNeal]

8 minutes ago, transam said:

A10........🤗

 

Nah but Brazil might sell them some.  

 

 

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, NanLaew said:

 

Maybe ask @Peter Crow?

 

I'm confused...you posted his post....was that a dig at him knowing De Gaulle was dead?

[KhaoHom]

Soooooo how's not buying f16s going for y'all's??

 

Probably eyeing Chinese fighters by now 🤣

[Peter Crow]

6 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Maybe ask @Peter Crow?

Jeez... the topic is about a country (Sweden) not honouring, maybe, an arms deals because they could be used in actual combat, no?

 

And I said it happened before. 

 

Some here a deliberately thick, or what? 

 

Maybe @Will B Good can read this once he's finished [himself] in the dunny.

[NanLaew]

11 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

14 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Maybe ask @Peter Crow?

 

I'm confused...you posted his post....was that a dig at him knowing De Gaulle was dead?

 

It wasn't a dig at anyone. His original post referenced De Gaulle's blocking French armaments to Israel is 1967, three years before he died. His second post responded to my suggesting this was analogous to the issues that arose after French armaments killed British servicemen in the Falklands. Your post brought up De Gaulle's passing in 1970, and I thought maybe you had brought that up over his comment:

 

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

De Gaulle was a traitor while Aerospatiale were cynical...

 

Where De Gaulle's actions applied while he was still alive, whereas Aerospatiale's activities in Argentina were long after his passing.

 

Whether @Peter Crow is pro-Arab or anti-Israel is something that he may care to clarify.

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, Peter Crow said:

Jeez... the topic is about a country (Sweden) not honouring, maybe, an arms deals because they could be used in actual combat, no?

 

And I said it happened before. 

 

Some here a deliberately thick, or what? 

 

Maybe @Will B Good can read this once he's finished [himself] in the dunny.

 

 

 

 

De Gaulle was a traitor while Aerospatiale were cynical, with some glee probably, as Maggie was into her "I want my money back" rants. Which probably inspired Trump."

 

 

Where was my head?......How did I not immediately recall my French history of the Arab-Israeli conflicts from 65 years ago and link them Grippen jets being used in Cambodia.....I am so embarrassed.

[Peter Crow]

15 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

 

 

De Gaulle was a traitor while Aerospatiale were cynical, with some glee probably, as Maggie was into her "I want my money back" rants. Which probably inspired Trump."

 

 

Where was my head?......How did I not immediately recall my French history of the Arab-Israeli conflicts from 65 years ago and link them Grippen jets being used in Cambodia.....I am so embarrassed.

There was another post I made before that one.

 

You just barge in...

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

There was another post I made before that one.

 

You just barge in...

 

I know....I promise, in future, to groom (bit like Trump) carefully through each thread regardless of how long and make sure I read everything you post before daring to make a comment.....please accept my profound apologies.

[SpaceKadet]

2 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

You would have thought this would be huge opportunity to advertise their aircraft in action?

The Swedish government is not the manufacturer. I am pretty sure that SAAB, the maker of Gripen, would sell to almost anybody. And Gripen is well known world wide for its ability and versatility. In the case of any Swedish made weapon, the export of any military hardware is governed by the rather strict laws of the country

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, dyertribe said:

What sort of deal is this?  Sweden sells military hardware but the buyer isn’t allowed to use it?

I’d be buying from a different source. 

That wasn't the deal... it's more fake news from Cambodia

[thesetat]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

File photo courtesy of MGR online

 

The Thai Air Force has firmly refuted allegations that Sweden has halted the sale of Saab JAS 39 Gripen jets. This follows reports claiming the suspension was linked to their usage against Cambodian forces at the border.

 

In a statement on Facebook, the Air Force dismissed reports from the Phnom Penh Post, which suggested the transactions were paused after Thai air strikes hit Cambodian army targets. The Air Force clarified that these air strikes adhered to international combat rules and humanitarian principles.

 

The Thai military emphasised that recent operations had been defensive, targeting Cambodian military installations and avoiding harm to civilians. They also pointed out that Cambodian rockets had impacted civilian areas in Thailand, striking a hospital and homes, reported Thai Newsroom.

 

Sweden's Foreign Affairs Minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, stated that Stockholm is keeping an eye on the ongoing border tensions but did not clarify the status of the Gripen deal. The final decision rests with Sweden’s government and the Inspectorate of Strategic Products, responsible for regulating military exports.

 

Thailand aims to strengthen its air combat capabilities with the procurement of twelve Gripen jets, adding to its current fleet of eleven deployed at Wing 7 in Surat Thani. The proposed deal, at approximately 60 billion baht, involves three batches of four jets each.

 

Thai air marshals initially considered both the Gripen E/F and the US-made F-16 Block 70/72 but ultimately chose the Swedish fighters for strategic reasons.

 

Developments around this transaction remain crucial as Thailand seeks to enhance its air force amid ongoing border tensions.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-08-02

 

I wonder if these jets will have engines or avionics gear still installed in them. Or perhaps Thailand is looking to do the same type of deal they did for their sub and aircraft carrier

[Scott Tracy]

What did the Swedish government expect when the aircraft are sold, even to their own Air Force? For them to be used as gate guards?

 

Shed loads of money to buy, maintain and fly them and they're supposed to sit around gathering dust?

[spidermike007]

Not only does an F-35 cost well over $100 million, but it's also exorbitant to maintain. 

 

The annual operating cost per F-35A is estimated to be around $7.1 million, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, although the Air Force initially projected a lower figure. 

 

Absolutely brilliant decision to just say no to that overpriced jet fighter, and subsequent dependence on the declining empire. 

[Andycoops]

The Swedes are sending armoured vehicles and missiles to Ukraine and good on them for doing so.

 

It's just incredulous to suggest that selling other countries warplanes and then to baulk at them being used is even an agenda...

[Myran]

People seem to be a bit confused regarding this, not the least thanks to the misinformation Cambodia is spreading.

 

According to Swedish law, Sweden is not allowed to sell weapons to countries currently in an armed conflict. Thailand is currently in an armed conflict, and Sweden can therefore not approve the purchase of new Gripen at this point. Once the armed conflict is over, Sweden can approve the purchase.

 

Sweden has not voiced any sort of criticism regarding how Thailand has used its Gripen planes. It's simply a matter of adhering to Swedish law. Sweden can, of course, choose not to sell more planes to Thailand if it's found out that Thailand has used them improperly, like attacking civilian targets, but there are no such indications as of now.

[SpaceKadet]

26 minutes ago, thesetat said:

I wonder if these jets will have engines or avionics gear still installed in them. Or perhaps Thailand is looking to do the same type of deal they did for their sub and aircraft carrier

I think you missed the fact that Thailand already has 11 Gripens based in Surat Thani. The new order would be for additional 12. Sweden is not China.