Thailand’s first Saab JAS 39 Gripen E/F fighter jet has officially entered the production line at SAAB in Sweden, while Air Force Commander-in-Chief Seksan Kanta travelled to Stockholm to monitor progress on the programme and discuss future cooperation.
The Royal Thai Air Force signed a contract in August 2025 to procure four Gripen E/F fighter jets under the first phase of the “Peace Burapha 1” programme, valued at 19.5 billion baht. The agreement was signed with Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and SAAB.
On 13 May, Seksan, who also chairs the Thai-Swedish joint government project committee, attended a progress meeting at the FMV headquarters in Stockholm alongside members of the fighter procurement committee. The Thai delegation also held talks with FMV Deputy Director General Eva Hagwall regarding continued defence cooperation.
According to reports, the first Thai Gripen E/F aircraft has now entered the production line at SAAB’s facility in Linköping, Sweden.
The first phase of the procurement programme runs from fiscal years 2025 to 2029, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2029. Thailand also plans a second phase in fiscal year 2028 for an additional four aircraft as part of a long-term plan to acquire a full squadron of 12 Gripen E/F jets.
The new aircraft will replace ageing F-16 A/B fighters currently stationed at Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
