Thailand has approved the acquisition of four Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets, the air force confirmed on Tuesday—just a week after brokering a ceasefire following deadly border clashes with Cambodia.
The $600 million deal for Saab JAS 39 Gripens, first proposed in June, forms part of a broader effort to upgrade the Royal Thai Air Force’s combat capabilities.
During five days of intense cross-border conflict with Cambodia—resulting in over 40 fatalities—Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets to conduct strikes against military targets.
This marked the most severe border fighting in decades. A procurement committee had begun reviewing options last August and, after a 10-month evaluation, chose the Scandinavian Gripens over American F-16s.
Thailand currently operates 11 older Gripen aircraft alongside several dozen F-16s purchased in the 1980s.
The country’s total defense budget stands at 200 billion baht (approximately $6 billion), covering all armed forces.
