Rejected by The US to Buy F-35s, Thailand Added Gripen Fighter Jets from Sweden

Thailand plans to add at least three units of Saab Gripen fighter aircraft from Sweden, after the United States recently refused to sell the F-35A Lightning II to the White Elephant Country.

A source from the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) was quoted by the Bangkok Post as saying that the planned acquisition of three Gripen units is to increase the strength of the 7th Wing fleet in Surat Thani.

Previously the RTAF operated 12 Gripen units in Wing 7, but lost one unit in an accident.

Currently the RTAF is also planning to upgrade the radar on their Gripen fleet at a cost of 4 billion baht (Rp 1.73 trillion) because the aircraft has been in operation for more than a decade.

Currently, the RTAF is also considering a program to replace the F-16 fleet, which has been in operation for three decades.

The United States itself recommends that the RTAF use the F-16V Block 70 or F-15 aircraft, however, the FY2024 budget will not be sufficient to comply with this recommendation.

The US also provided information that the production queue for the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter is now 10 years long for a country to receive its first unit.

It is said, the F-35 will be suitable for use until the 2070s.