A delegation from the Royal Thai Air Force visited Sweden during the week of May 11-15, 2026, to review progress on Thailand’s Gripen E/F fighter acquisition program, including the start of assembly work on the country’s first aircraft at Saab’s facility in Linkoping.
The delegation, led by Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, met with officials from Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration and Saab on May 13, 2026.
🇹🇭🇸🇪 A delegation led by the Royal Thai Air Force Commander traveled to Sweden to visit Saab’s aircraft production facilities, where Thailand’s first Gripen E has already entered the production line. pic.twitter.com/b4Dy8AqUX6
— Нем🥖 (@wuthi11_) May 14, 2026
Building local capability
As the program moves forward, Saab is also deepening its industrial presence in Thailand.
The Bangkok Post reported on May 13, 2026, that Saab Thailand is seeking new partners to produce aircraft parts and support the country’s defense industry.
The effort is tied to an offset agreement linked to the Gripen E/F purchase, which includes technology transfers and industrial cooperation aimed at building local capabilities for maintaining and producing aircraft components.
Fredrik Lindblom, Vice President and Country Manager of Saab Thailand, said that the offset package aligns with Thailand’s ambition to strengthen its aerospace industrial base, including the forging of partnerships for original equipment manufacturing.
Saab plans to work with Thai Aviation Industries and local small and medium-sized enterprises to expand domestic expertise. The company has partnered with Thailand’s armed forces for more than 40 years, supporting radar and air defense systems, naval combat management, ground combat systems, and training and simulation.
A more capable fighter
The Gripen E introduces significant upgrades over earlier variants, including a more powerful engine, updated avionics, increased fuel capacity, and an active electronically scanned array radar. It also offers expanded electronic warfare and networking capabilities.
The aircraft will be powered by General Electric F414-GE-39E engines.
Replacing aging F-16s
Thailand already operates 11 Gripen C and D variants, acquired in the late 2000s and based at Surat Thani. The new Gripen E/F jets will serve alongside the existing fleet once they enter service.
The acquisition is part of Bangkok’s effort to replace aging F-16A/B fighters based at Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima. Thai F-16s have recently been used in patrol and airspace monitoring missions near the Myanmar border, following periods of instability and armed clashes close to Thai territory.
Deliveries of the first aircraft are scheduled to begin in 2029. A second procurement phase, planned for 2028, could add four more fighters, with a long-term objective of acquiring a full squadron of 12 aircraft.
Background
Thailand signed a contract in August 2025 for four Gripen E/F fighters under the first phase of the procurement program known as ‘Peace Burapha 1’. The agreement, valued at THB 19.5 billion (US $550 million), covers three Gripen E and one Gripen F, along with associated equipment, support and training.
The Royal Thai Air Force confirmed its selection of the Gripen E/F on June 4, 2025, following evaluations of options to modernize its fighter fleet amid growing regional security concerns. Thailand’s cabinet approved the first batch in early August 2025, paving the way for the contract.
