The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has selected the Saab JAS-39 Gripen E/F to replace its oldest F-16A/B fighters which are in service with 102nd Squadron based in central Thailand.
Saab's Gripen was selected after a ten-month competitive evaluation against Lockheed Martin's F-16 Block 70/72. It won out because the RTAF said it met both the their tactical requirements and fit within the allocated budget.
Thailand will become only the second export customer for the Gripen E/F after Brazil if the deal is finalised. While the RTAF has selected the JAS-39 E/F, the procurement still requires the approval of the government in Bangkok before it can proceed.
The RTAF already operates 11 older JAS-39 Gripen C/Ds, acquired in the early 2010s.