Thai Air Force Insists On Buying Swedish Jet Fighters

[webfact]

Air Force Insists on Buying Swedish Jet Fighters

The air force commander insists the purchase of Swedish-made Gripen combat aircraft is necessary to replace older fighter planes. He also assures transparency in the purchasing process.

Air Force Commander-in-Chief Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong countered Matichon newspaper's claim that the Royal Thai Air Force is spending much more on Gripen aircraft than its Romanian counterparts.

He stated that the purchase of Gripen jet fighters is necessary to replace the older F-5s, which are slated for retirement in 2011.

He urged the public to see this as a military affair and not to compare it with other countries since different nations have different priorities.

He added that the matter at hand should not be viewed as a political issue because the military does not wish to be involved in politics.

Itthaporn asserted that the purchase will soon enter its second phase of negotiations.

He revealed that both the prime minister and the defense minister have been notified and understand the necessity in purchasing the planes.

He said the air force is prepared to ensure full transparency for the financial transactions.

-- Tan Network 2010-07-13

[Pushit]

Obviously the tea money has been paid and receipts waivered!!

Edited July 13, 2010 by Pushit

[rkidlad]

"He added that the matter at hand should not be viewed as a political issue because the military does not wish to be involved in politics"

PRICELESS!

[Thai at Heart]

"He added that the matter at hand should not be viewed as a political issue because the military does not wish to be involved in politics"

PRICELESS!

I think what he was implying was:

"He added that the matter should not be viewed by politicians because the military then might just have to get involved in politics"

[cshort64]

Hint Hint - The Military knows best so no questions please.....we have the matter well in hand

[surangw]

replace  the f5  that is up to spec,  has spare parts inventory, and       maint  programme and training  already in place.<div><br></div><div>makes perfect sense  (not)</div>

[Pib]

Guess the other jet fighter manufacturers didn't provide a cola and peanuts during the test flight.

[moe666]

What a run away system you would think this would be taken care of by the defense minestery with input from the AirForce.

[TPI]

What a run away system you would think this would be taken care of by the defense minestery with input from the AirForce.

Lets see who is on the boarding list for the Junket to Sweden......they're the ones picking up the money?

[chantorn]

Is the Gripen combat aircrafts come equipped with GT200?

[surangw]

I bet they wil be required to remove the flux gates from the navigation systems before allowing them out of sweden

[endure]

Any idea what the comparison with Romania means?

[billythehat]

Somchai: "Air Force Commander-in-Chief Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong countered Matichon newspaper's claim that the Royal Thai Air Force is spending much more on Gripen aircraft than its Romanian counterparts."

The Romanian Air Force announced they would replace their MiG-21 LanceR aircraft beginning in 2008, possibly with JAS 39 Gripen, F-16 Fighting Falcon or Eurofighter Typhoon. On 23 March 2010, the Romanian Ministry of Defence decided to purchase 24 second hand F-16s...

[bangkokburning]

Hey, Electrolux vacuum cleaners have dual use parts. Its a wise economic decision.

I'm sure the Americans, Brits/France are pissed.

Sure make me look at the nation in yet another light.

Flying vacuum cleaners - BAH!

[sokal]

Somchai: "Air Force Commander-in-Chief Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong countered Matichon newspaper's claim that the Royal Thai Air Force is spending much more on Gripen aircraft than its Romanian counterparts."

The Romanian Air Force announced they would replace their MiG-21 LanceR aircraft beginning in 2008, possibly with JAS 39 Gripen, F-16 Fighting Falcon or Eurofighter Typhoon. On 23 March 2010, the Romanian Ministry of Defence decided to purchase 24 second hand F-16s...

Anything without thrust vectoring is junk in my opinion. They should have bought some SU 37s. Best technology for the money

[overhaul38]

The PM will not object. He knows that his tenure depends on the support of the military. Just whisper the word "Thaksin" in his ear and he will

realize that the military really does need these planes, and the submarine, and the blimp.

That should fund several summer homes in Khao Yai.

[overhaul38]

Did he really say that the military shouldn't get involved in politics? Jay Leno must write his material.

The PM will not object. He knows that his tenure depends on the support of the military. Just whisper the word "Thaksin" in his ear and he will

realize that the military really does need these planes, and the submarine, and the blimp.

That should fund several summer homes in Khao Yai.

[crusty]

Any idea what the comparison with Romania means?

Huge price difference, also the South African Air Force paid $24 m. per plane but the Thais are spending an outrageous $74 m. per plane !

[Changian]

This story has been going on for years:

Reuters: Thailand Will Buy Swedish-Made Gripen Fighters

By Nopporn Wong-Anan

BANGKOK, Oct 17, 2007(Reuters) - Thailand's Air Force will buy six JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden's Saab for 19.5 billion baht ($574 million) to replace ageing F-5E fighters, Air Force chief Chalit Pukphasuk said on Wednesday. A member of the selection panel had said on Tuesday the Air Force would buy 12 Gripens in two batches. The first six would be bought between 2008 and 2012 and the second batch "as soon as possible", Chalit said.

The only countries outside Sweden to use Grippen fighters - Hungary, South Africa and Czech Republic have all had scandals involving corruption in the purchase of their planes.

(Probably no coincidence that someone with very close ties to people who are interested in buying planes is a regular visitor to a country that sells planes.)

[glegolo]

This story has been going on for years:

Reuters: Thailand Will Buy Swedish-Made Gripen Fighters

By Nopporn Wong-Anan

BANGKOK, Oct 17, 2007(Reuters) - Thailand's Air Force will buy six JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden's Saab for 19.5 billion baht ($574 million) to replace ageing F-5E fighters, Air Force chief Chalit Pukphasuk said on Wednesday. A member of the selection panel had said on Tuesday the Air Force would buy 12 Gripens in two batches. The first six would be bought between 2008 and 2012 and the second batch "as soon as possible", Chalit said.

The only countries outside Sweden to use Grippen fighters - Hungary, South Africa and Czech Republic have all had scandals involving corruption in the purchase of their planes.

(Probably no coincidence that someone with very close ties to people who are interested in buying planes is a regular visitor to a country that sells planes.)

Luckily we have soo many members here that are familiar with this kind of business.

It feels safe.

Glegolo

[Rucharee]

Any idea what the comparison with Romania means?

Huge price difference, also the South African Air Force paid $24 m. per plane but the Thais are spending an outrageous $74 m. per plane !

The Thai plane have full option that include use automatic gear, sun roof, reverse sensors, DVD player, electric leather seat, central lock and matching tail fin color.

The South African is the basic one. It did not even have air-condition for the back pilot.

That's why the price different.

[Payboy]

Any idea what the comparison with Romania means?

Huge price difference, also the South African Air Force paid $24 m. per plane but the Thais are spending an outrageous $74 m. per plane !

The Thai plane have full option that include use automatic gear, sun roof, reverse sensors, DVD player, electric leather seat, central lock and matching tail fin color.

The South African is the basic one. It did not even have air-condition for the back pilot.

That's why the price different.

Actually a large part of the increased cost went towards refitting the Gripen's to right hand drive.

[ThaksinKharma]

He stated that the purchase of Gripen jet fighters is necessary to replace the older F-5s, which are slated for retirement in 2011.

Good to see the Air Force is updating this 50 year-old technology.

[chainarong]

Well that makes sense , all of Thailand's defence partners use either British, French or US weapon systems , yeah that makes lots of sense.

[rubl]

Well that makes sense , all of Thailand's defence partners use either British, French or US weapon systems , yeah that makes lots of sense.

There are numerous items on the checklist, each with their own weighting. Keep in mind that when your neighbour buys a mercedes you may still opt for a bmw, or even a toyota.

[kuffki]

They use to buy from US, they then changed to buying from Russia and Sweden.

Hmm, might be smart to sit and think who is a better trading partner, because all those arms deals always have other consequences

[surangw]

and in reality, who is thailand going to use them on ( defense or offense ) ?

[dynabob]

Nothing Suck's like an Electrolux.

[ThaksinKharma]

and in reality, who is thailand going to use them on ( defense or offense ) ?

Does it matter? There are not many countries at all in the whole world that don't have a military and all these countries' military have equipment and all this equipment costs money.

You could ask your question of any new military expenditure spent by any country in the world, but then again, it would be rather pointless as they all (except for a tiny few) have a military.

The Thai Air Force planes that had are relics from the 1950's. It's high time they were replaced.

[philw]

and in reality, who is thailand going to use them on ( defense or offense ) ?

Does it matter? There are not many countries at all in the whole world that don't have a military and all these countries' military have equipment and all this equipment costs money.

You could ask your question of any new military expenditure spent by any country in the world, but then again, it would be rather pointless as they all (except for a tiny few) have a military.

The Thai Air Force planes that had are relics from the 1950's. It's high time they were replaced.

You can't be defending the "toys for the boys" mentality of the Thai military, can you ??

This a relatively poor country and there are very many other needs that are far more deserving of limited government funds.

Education for one.

philw