Thailand Air-Force Royal Thai Air Force now seeks to buy more fighter jets from Sweden

[Isa Khan]

After the US recently refused to sell F-35A fighter jets to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), the RTAF has reportedly modified its plans and will now seek to acquire the aircraft from Sweden.​

According to a source, the RTAF aims to procure three additional Gripen jet fighters from Sweden to add to its fleet in Wing 7 in Surat Thani province after losing one in a crash. The air force had previously bought 12 Gripens, which cost about 2 billion baht each.

Additionally, Sweden will not only provide the air force with the desired fighter jets but will also upgrade a radar system.

The radar system, which has been in service for a decade, will undergo a major update at an estimated cost of 4 billion baht, according to a source.

The source further revealed that the RTAF’s commander-in-chief, ACM Alongkorn Wannarot, has not yet formed a panel to assess and choose the successor to the kingdom’s F-16 fighter jets, which have served for three decades.

Despite the United States’ suggestion for the RTAF to consider acquiring 4.5-generation fighter jets like the F-16 Block 70 and F-15, the current budget for the fiscal year 2024 falls short of the amount required to enter into a contractual agreement for such a procurement.

Royal Thai Air Force Reportedly Plans to Buy New Fighter Jets from Sweden After Getting Rejected By The US - The Pattaya News

National — After the US recently refused to sell F-35A fighter jets to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), the RTAF has reportedly modified its plans and will now seek to acquire the aircraft from Sweden. According to a source, the RTAF aims to procure three additional Gripen jet fighters from...

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[Parry Brima]

If the budget is not enough why would they ask for F-35?