Thai air force favours Swedish Gripen fighter jets over F-16s

Thailand has announced its intention to renew its combat aircraft fleet with Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets, deeming them more suitable than American F-16s. After a 10-month evaluation, the Royal Thai Air Force found the Gripen E/F most capable of meeting its strategic requirements. Lockheed Martin’s F-16s remain under consideration, pending a final government decision. Currently, the Thai Air Force operates 11 older Gripens alongside dozens of F-16s.