RTAF to proceed with initial tranche of four Saab Gripen E/Fs

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) confirmed on 4 June 2025 that it will proceed with procuring the Saab Gripen E/F as its new future multi-role fighter, Saab has announced.

Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) will now follow the next steps in the procurement process with a view to signing a contract with the Thai government, which is expected to eventually cover 12 Gripen E/Fs.

In addition to Gripen E/F fighters and associated equipment, Saab’s offer also includes a long-term offset package. This will benefit the national security and strategic independence of Thailand, while also bringing new jobs and investments to a range of sectors in the Thai economy.

News that the RTAF had selected the Gripen E/F first emerged in August 2024, but on 4 June 2025 the air force’s chief of staff, Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul, announced that the RTAF would proceed with an initial tranche of four aircraft – three single-seat JAS-39Es and one twin seat JAS-39F – in a first procurement phase from 2025 to 2029 that would cost THB 19.5 billion (EUR 520 million).

“We welcome the Royal Thai Air Force’s selection of Gripen E/F as its future fighter and look forward to the next steps in this procurement process,” Micael Johansson, president and CEO of Saab, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “Gripen E/F is the best solution to provide Thailand with independent airpower for the future, which will contribute significantly to the nation’s safety and security.”

The RTAF has operated the Gripen C/D since 2011 and fields a fleet of seven single-seat Gripen Cs and four twin-seat Gripen Ds in a combat air fleet that also includes US-supplied F-5E/Fs and F-16A/B/AM/BMs.

The Gripen E/Fs are expected to replace the RTAF’s oldest F-16A/Bs.