Sweden, U.S. Lobby to Sell Gripen, F-16 Fighter Jets to Thailand

The United States and Sweden have commenced lobbying to sell fighters to Thailand which is looking to replace its ageing F-16s and Gripen jets.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on June 30 Sunday that the U.S Ambassador to Thailand Robert Godec, had written to him to propose the F-16 Block 70 fighter jets for the Thai Air Force’s requirement.

Earlier this month, the  Gripen jet’s manufacturer, Saab had taken a group of Thai journalists on a tour of the company’s facilities in Sweden.

Srettha Thavisin said that  in previous discussions, he had told the air force commander Panpakdee Patanakul to base the fighter jet selection on the 10-year air force development plan besides the manufacturers’ investment in Thailand equal to the fighter aircraft purchase price.

RTAF commander ACM Phanphakdee Phatthanakul and other officials  visited Sweden earlier in May to hold talks with SAAB to discuss a deal.

Robert Björklund, Gripen Thailand campaign director, had said during the media visit that Saab plans to offer a fully networked sensor fusion and three types of advanced radars including the Raven ES-05-AESA, Skyward G-IRST and Mode 5-IFF if Thailand were to purchase the Gripen.

The F-16 Block 70 is nearly an equal match for the Gripen coming with an AESA radar, advanced sensors and networking capability.

The difference between the two fighters will boil down to the weapons package offered by the U.S. and Sweden.