The Thai Air Force wants the Saab Jas 39 Gripen E in its fleet.
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT
The US F-16 Block 70 competes with Saab's JAS Gripen.
Image: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
The commander of the Thai Air Force, Phanphakdi Pattanakul, has recommended that the country's government choose the Saab Jas Gripen fighter jet when renewing its aircraft fleet in the coming years. He writes that he wants them to choose the Gripen in competition with the American F-16 Bangkok Post Thai Newspaper Wednesday.
The air force chief and other senior officers outlined the pros and cons of the two plans to Thailand’s parliament on Wednesday, and also outlined the financial benefits Saab and Lockheed Martin would offer the air force if a deal were reached.
The Thai Air Force is set to apply for the equivalent of about six billion kroner from the state budget to cover the cost of replacing a dozen outdated F-16s in the next few years.
USA provides loans
The battle is between the Jas Gripen E and the F-16 Block 70 — and last week the US ambassador in Bangkok offered a favorable loan if Thailand chose the American jet, according to the Bangkok Post.
But now it seems that the tide is turning in favour of the Saab aircraft, even if the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence have not yet made a final decision.
Thailand has already purchased twelve Jas 39 Gripen aircraft, but lost one of the aircraft at an air show in 2017.
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