The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) plans to seek funding for eight additional Saab Gripen E/F fighters, a move that would complete the 12-aircraft fleet planned to replace older F-16s.
Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha, commander-in-chief of the RTAF, said on October 12 that the next phase of the program is expected to be included in the fiscal 2027 budget.
The proposal has not yet resulted in an order and remains subject to budget and government approval. Earlier plans indicated that funding for the next phase would be requested in fiscal 2028, suggesting that the RTAF now wants to accelerate the program.
In July, Kantha said the service intended to seek funding for all eight remaining aircraft in a single proposal instead of acquiring them in smaller batches.
Thailand originally planned to acquire 12 Gripen E/F fighters in three phases over ten years. The aircraft will replace F-16A/B fighters operated by Wing 1 at Nakhon Ratchasima.
Four aircraft already ordered
Only the first four Gripen E/Fs have been ordered. Thailand signed the government-to-government agreement with Sweden in August 2025 for three single-seat Gripen Es and one two-seat Gripen F.
Saab valued the order at approximately SEK 5.3 billion (US$550 million at the time). The package also includes equipment, support and training, as well as a long-term offset agreement covering technology transfer and industrial cooperation.
The first aircraft are currently in production. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2029 and continue through 2030.
Thailand already operates Gripen C/D fighters, which entered service with the RTAF in 2011. The new Gripen E/Fs will initially operate alongside the older aircraft.
During his October 12 remarks, Kantha said manned fighters remain necessary despite the growing role of unmanned systems because some combat decisions still require human judgment.
He also said future acquisitions must include enough aircraft to protect the country's airspace, along with personnel training, infrastructure and technology transfer.
The shift toward a fiscal 2027 request follows an earlier plan to seek funding for the remaining Gripens in 2028. If approved, the eight-aircraft proposal would eliminate the need for a third procurement phase and complete the RTAF's planned 12-aircraft Gripen E/F fleet.
