The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has officially confirmed the upcoming purchase of Saab JAS 39 Gripen E/F fighter jets, following the recent successes its Gripen C/Ds achieved in the conflict with Cambodia.
The Bangkok government approved an initial order for four aircraft, with deliveries slated to begin in 2029 as part of a program that includes a total of twelve single- and two-seater aircraft by 2035.
The Use of Gripen C/D in the Recent Conflict with Cambodia
Since 2011, the Royal Thai Air Force has deployed its Gripen C/D, which received an upgrade to the MS20 standard in 2021 that supports the use of advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground sensors and weapons. The Gripens made their operational debut in combat with the RTAF, who used them in strikes on targets in Cambodia during recent border conflicts between the two countries. On this occasion, the RTAF’s Gripens used pods for targeting and precision-guided ammunition to neutralize Cambodian artillery systems bombarding targets in Thailand. The new Gripen E/Fs will replace non-upgraded F-16s that are now reaching the end of their operational lives.
Photo credit: @Saab
