The Royal Thai Air Force has signed a government‑to‑government contract for four Saab Gripen E/F next‑generation fighter jets powered by F414 engines from GE Aerospace, sealing the deal on August 25, 2025 in Sweden. The agreement—witnessed by RTAF Commander Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) chief Mikael Granholm, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, and Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson—marks the first step in Thailand’s plan to field a modern, networked fighter force over the next decade.
The initial package is valued at about SEK 5.3 billion (roughly $555 million USD) and covers four aircraft—three single‑seat Gripen E and one dual‑seat Gripen F—with deliveries spread between 2025 and 2030 as part of a broader roadmap to acquire up to 12 Gripen E/F in four batches.
Purpose and strategic intent
The purchase is designed to replace the oldest F‑16s in the RTAF fleet, many of which have been in service since the late 1980s. Officials say the move will shrink the total number of fighter airframes in the near term but raise overall capability by bringing in sensors, electronic warfare tools, and long‑range weapons that allow fewer jets to do more.
All new jets will be powered by the F414‑GE‑39E, a variant of the proven F414 family, giving the aircraft extra thrust to carry more fuel and weapons while supporting newer avionics.
“The Gripen E/F decision is about both efficiency and security,” said Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee, pointing to the need to keep Thailand’s air defense credible as legacy aircraft age out.
Saab’s CEO Micael Johansson called the selection a vote of confidence in a modern fighter that can anchor “strategic, independent capabilities” for years. Thailand’s foreign minister stressed the agreement’s link to long‑term industry goals, with technology transfer and local participation included from the start to help build skilled jobs and know‑how inside the country.
Contract details and delivery plan
Under the deal:
- Thailand will receive three Gripen E (single‑seat) and one Gripen F (dual‑seat).
- Program value for this first batch is SEK 5.3 billion, which includes airframes, training, ground support, and weapons integration.
- Deliveries are scheduled between 2025 and 2030.
- The broader plan is to reach 12 Gripen E/F in total through four tranches.
The dual‑seat Gripen F supports instructor‑led flights, complex mission management, and special roles, while the Gripen E is the primary platform for high‑end air defense and strike missions.
Deliveries in this window allow the RTAF to start conversion training and build experience before phasing out more of its oldest F‑16A/B aircraft. The service will keep some F‑16s in operation for up to a decade to avoid a capability gap while new Gripen units stand up.
The RTAF already has experience with older Gripen C/D models—powered by the GE RM12 engine—operated since the late 2000s and early 2010s, providing a base for pilots and maintainers transitioning to the E/F standard.
Engine and sensor advantages
The engine choice is central to the modernization case:
- F414‑GE‑39E provides more thrust than the older RM12, enabling heavier payloads and longer range.
- Supports advanced sensors such as AESA radar and IRST (infrared search and track).
- Enables a powerful electronic warfare suite.
Together, these features allow pilots to find targets at longer ranges, remain harder to track, and share data with other assets for a more complete air picture.
Operational integration and basing
RTAF leaders have signaled that the first four jets will be integrated into squadrons replacing older F‑16s at Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat). The 102 Squadron is expected to be an early recipient as the service consolidates around fewer, more capable aircraft.
The package includes:
- Ground support equipment for maintenance and readiness.
- Training programs for pilots and ground crews.
- Long‑range air‑to‑air missiles including the Meteor for beyond‑visual‑range engagements.
Strategic and operational effects
Thailand formally selected the JAS 39 E/F on June 4, 2025, after government‑to‑government talks with Sweden supported by Saab and FMV. Officials describe the Gripen E/F as:
- Adaptable and cost‑effective to run.
- Capable of sharing data across a network of aircraft and ground systems.
Operational benefits include:
- Covering more airspace with fewer sorties.
- Improved tracking and resistance to jamming via AESA radar.
- Passive detection via IRST, reducing the need for radar emissions.
- Electronic warfare capability to sense, jam, and deceive opposing radars.
- Meteor missile to extend engagement ranges and increase first‑shot success probability.
The RTAF emphasizes that while fighter numbers dip initially, effective combat power should rise through sensor fusion and networked operations, enabling better awareness and faster decision‑making.
Regional context and recent usage
Recent events have kept defense readiness in focus. Thai Gripen C/D jets were reportedly used in limited combat in July 2025 during border clashes with Cambodia, according to local accounts and official statements. Thailand’s experience underscores how quickly regional tensions can demand real capability.
The new deal strengthens ties between Thailand and Sweden. FMV will manage parts of the program on behalf of the Swedish state, adding oversight and confidence about support and delivery timelines.
Industrial cooperation and offsets
Industrial cooperation is a major element of the deal. Thailand will receive a comprehensive offset package that includes:
- Technology transfer
- Structured work with local firms
- Focus on engineering, digital systems, and advanced manufacturing
Goals of the offset package:
- Build skills for defense and civilian projects
- Anchor long‑term partnership beyond the initial purchase
- Enable Thai firms to maintain and adapt complex systems over decades
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, long‑term government‑to‑government defense programs often combine training, support, and industrial cooperation so partner nations can build real depth alongside new hardware.
The procurement sequence
Officials describe a clear step‑by‑step process:
- Selection: RTAF chose the JAS 39 E/F on June 4, 2025.
- Negotiation: Government‑to‑government talks with Saab and FMV defined terms and support.
- Contract signing: Parties signed in Sweden on August 25, 2025, with leaders from both countries present.
- Offset agreement: Technology transfer and industrial cooperation were signed alongside the aircraft contract.
- Delivery: Four aircraft to be delivered across 2025–2030; follow‑on tranches to reach 12.
- Integration: Training, support, and tech transfer run in parallel with deliveries.
This sequencing ties to practical actions—pilot training pipelines, ground support setup, and maintenance processes—so jets arrive with the people and infrastructure needed to operate them safely and effectively.
Technical differences from earlier Gripens
The E/F models fuse inputs from radar, IRST, and electronic warfare systems into a unified cockpit picture. Key capabilities:
- Radar can change modes quickly and track many targets simultaneously.
- IRST provides a passive detection method for stealthy targets.
- Electronic warfare suite can jam or confuse incoming radar and missiles.
- F414 engines support heavier fuel and weapons loads without losing performance, enabling longer patrols and increased payload flexibility.
Weapons integration, particularly long‑range air‑to‑air missiles like Meteor, is part of the package from the start. Ground support and simulators will accelerate pilot transition to new tactics.
Training, maintenance, and sustainment
Training strategy highlights:
- Dual‑seat Gripen F for instructor‑led advanced flights.
- Ground‑based simulators to conserve flying hours for critical tasks.
- Maintenance crews trained with Swedish partners and through technology transfer.
The offset package expects Thai teams to take on increasing responsibility quickly, improving availability and cost control.
Broader modernization and regional implications
Thailand’s modernization aims to retire older types (F‑5E/F/T, Alpha Jet) and standardize on advanced platforms. Benefits include:
- Fewer supply chains to manage, lowering logistics complexity.
- Easier, more uniform training standards.
- Greater ability to fuse data across sensors and share information with command centers and other assets.
Regionally, many Southeast Asian air forces are upgrading their fleets and sensors. A networked fighter like the Gripen E/F helps Thailand respond more carefully and deter escalation by extending sensor and weapon reach.
Next steps and risks
The plan calls for three more batches to reach a total of 12 Gripen E/F. The timing of follow‑on orders will depend on:
- Budget allocations
- Delivery schedules
- How well training, maintenance, and industrial capacities scale
Risks to watch:
- Training, supply chains, or budgets falling out of sync could delay capability realization.
- Staged approach aims to reduce these risks by synchronizing aircraft deliveries with training and industrial capacity growth.
Sources and further reading
- Saab program background: Saab AB
- Swedish procurement agency: Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV)
- Engine maker: GE Aerospace
- RTAF statements and contacts: Royal Thai Air Force
Key takeaways
The contract signed in Sweden sets a staged, practical plan in motion: four Gripen E/F now, a target of 12 later, and an offset program designed to build Thai industrial and training capacity. If training, support, and industrial tracks hold to schedule, the RTAF will enter the next decade with fewer jets on paper but greater reach, better awareness, and stronger deterrence across the region’s fast‑moving airspace.
This Article in a Nutshell
Thailand signed for four Gripen E/F on August 25, 2025 (SEK 5.3 billion), powered by F414 engines, with deliveries 2025–2030 and offsets for tech transfer.
