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Press release 11 February 2008Please see the Thai version of this press release in Pdf-document to the right
Gripen agreement between Sweden and Thailand signedAt a ceremony in Stockholm on Monday 11 February, FMV's (Swedish Defence Materiel Administration) Director General Gunnar Holmgren and Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk, Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), signed an agreement for the delivery of six Gripen multirole fighter aircraft of the latest version and a surveillance system
With this agreement, RTAF will be able to replace its outgoing F-5 aircraft in the beginning of 2011. RTAF will get six Gripen multirole aircraft of the latest C and D version (four dual-seated, JAS 39 Gripen D and two one-seated JAS 39 Gripen C) together with one Saab 340 Erieye surveillance system and one Saab 340 aircraft for training and transport.
The Gripen system together with the Erieye surveillance system will give the RTAF the capability they have asked for regarding air surveillance and protection of Thailand’s territory.
In a comment to the agreement FMV's Director General, Gunnar Holmgren stated:
– We are of course very pleased that the RTAF have chosen the Gripen and Erieye systems to meet their future needs. Since we are well aware of the capability of both systems in Sweden, I am convinced that the RTAF also will be satisfied when they have started to operate the Gripen and Erieye.
The agreement also includes comprehensive logistic support, and training of RTAF pilots and technicians as well as simulators. Sweden will also provide Swedish Air Force pilots and technicians as advisors in Thailand during the introduction of the Gripen and Erieye systems in the RTAF.
The delivery of the aircraft will take place in the beginning of 2011. The training in Sweden will start in 2009.
The total value of the agreement is 19 Billion Baht.------
Press release 25 January 2008
Sweden enters into an agreement with Thailand on GripenOn Thursday 24 January, the Swedish Government authorised the Defence Materiel Administration to enter into an agreement with the air force in Thailand on the transfer of an integrated air surveillance system comprising JAS 39 Gripen and the Erieye radar surveillance system.
'It is very positive that Thailand has chosen Swedish Gripen now that it is renewing its air surveillance system. It will benefit Sweden and Swedish tax-payers. The Gripen system is very cost-efficient and I am pleased to see growing international interest in its acquisition,' says Swedish Minister for Defence Sten Tolgfors.
Thailand is to replace its present air surveillance system when parts of the country´s current air fleet are phased out in 2011. The system's role will be to monitor Thailand's airspace and conduct incident preparedness.
The agreement covers six Gripen aircraft, the Erieye radar surveillance system and the accompanying data-link systems. The order amounts to some SEK 3.8 billion. Delivery is planned to take place in early 2011.
Entry into force of the agreement is conditional upon the Swedish Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP) issuing export licences after a review.
Press release 17 October 2007
Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft to Thailand
On Tuesday 16 October 2007, the Thai Government decided to start negotiating the purchase of the Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft. The Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Carl Bildt, welcomes the decision.
Carl Bildt: 'Gripen is a cost-effective system of absolute world class'
Following the news of the decision of the Thai Governement, Mr Carl Bildt hosted a press conference on 19 October.
'I welcome the fact that at its meeting yesterday, Thailand's government decided to initiate negotiations with Sweden on the purchase of both Gripen and the reconnaissance aircraft Erieye', says Mr Carl Bildt, 'The decision once again confirms that Gripen is a cost-effective system of absolute world class.'Read Mr Carl Bildt's press statement in full.