Thailand appears to have formally selected Saab’s Gripen E/F fighter aircraft following a tender, in which the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70/72 and South Korea’s FA-50 fighting aircraft participated.

In a brief post on its Facebook page, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) on 27 August wrote: “Most suitable to protect our national interest”, above an image of the Swedish-built fighter.

The RTAF already operates 11 earlier-model Gripen C/Ds. The prospective follow-on deal with Sweden is expected to cover 12 aircraft of the new type.

Also read: Hungary | Procures Gripen fighter jets from Sweden

If finalized, an order will see Bangkok follow Brazil, Hungary, and Sweden in fielding the new-generation Gripen, with those nations already having ordered a combined 96 pieces. The Brazilian Air Force placed its first locally-named F-39Es into service in 2022, with its Swedish counterpart to introduce its first operational Gripen in 2025.

Thailand also already has 50 legacy F-16 A/Bs in its current inventory.

Also read: Gripen E | The first serial production fighters are in Brazil