Thailand confirms the selection of Gripen E/F

The Royal Thai Air Force has confirmed the selection of the Gripen E/F as the next combat aircraft. Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) will now follow the next phases of the acquisition procedure with the Kingdom of Thailand. Moreover, Saab has specified that it has not yet signed any contracts, nor received any order related to this announcement from the Bangkok authorities. Besides the Gripen E/F fighters and related equipment, the Saab offer also includes a long-term compensation package for the Thai economy, the details of which will need to be defined during negotiations between the parties. Since 2011, the Royal Thai Air Force has been using the Gripen C/D, for which the MS20 standard upgrade was decided in 2021, allowing the use of advanced air-to-air and air-to-surface sensors and weapons. The new Gripen E/F will replace the unmodernized F-16s that have now reached the end of their operational life. Source and photo credit @Saab