19.10.2004, 11:41
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Gripen for Thailand
(Source: Gripen International; web-posted Oct. 15, 2004)
Following the visit to Sweden by the Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra 23-24 September, and following a meeting with the Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson, he stated that Thailand is in favor of Gripen as its F-5 replacement aircraft.
This very positive statement has recently been confirmed by the C-in-C of the Royal Thai Air Force, Air Chief Marshall Kongsak Wantana, saying to the Reuters news agency in Bangkok on 8 October “We have decided to select Gripen fighters to replace our F-5 fleet”.
However, the Thai interest in Gripen dates back to earlier briefings given by Gripen International to Thai officials. Gripen has also been presented to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) on several occasions, including when the C-in-Chief of the Royal Swedish Air Force, Maj.Gen Jan Andersson, was on an official visit on the occasion of the RTAF’s 90th anniversary on 26-27 March 2004.
While visiting the RTAF, Maj.Gen Andersson invited the RTAF to visit Sweden and familiarize itself with Gripen. The invitation was accepted and on 24 May, two pilots from the RTAF - Wing Commander Punpakdee Pattanakul (call sign “Kai”) and Wing Commander Manat Chuanprayon (call sign “Maverick”) - arrived at Swedish Air Force (SwAF) base F7 at Såtenäs, 120 kms north of Gothenburg in the west of Sweden.
The F7 wing is the home of two Gripen squadrons and the Gripen Centre, where all Gripen pilots undergo conversion and tactical training on Gripen. The Thai officers were given an introductory course on the Gripen aircraft which included 10 hours of flying.
In parallel, Swedish industry and Swedish authorities have held extensive talks with their Thai counterparts. A joint Swedish-Thai group, at the highest political level, will meet on a regular basis to prepare for a widespread bilateral agreement. The aim is to further develop the relations between Thailand and Sweden and to create a bilateral co-operation program serving as a base for a possible future sale of Gripen to Thailand. An acquisition of Gripen for the RTAF could be part of such a co-operation program, as could other products of the Saab Group or other companies.
“We are naturally very pleased with the positive signals we have received from Thailand”, says Kaj Rosander, Thai Project Manager at Gripen International.
“The Thai Air Force is well known for its high standard of operations and with Gripen being seen as the prime replacement for their F-5’s, it is a further evidence of Gripen’s capabilities both in terms of performance as well economically” he added.
Gripen for Thailand
(Source: Gripen International; web-posted Oct. 15, 2004)
Following the visit to Sweden by the Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra 23-24 September, and following a meeting with the Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson, he stated that Thailand is in favor of Gripen as its F-5 replacement aircraft.
This very positive statement has recently been confirmed by the C-in-C of the Royal Thai Air Force, Air Chief Marshall Kongsak Wantana, saying to the Reuters news agency in Bangkok on 8 October “We have decided to select Gripen fighters to replace our F-5 fleet”.
However, the Thai interest in Gripen dates back to earlier briefings given by Gripen International to Thai officials. Gripen has also been presented to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) on several occasions, including when the C-in-Chief of the Royal Swedish Air Force, Maj.Gen Jan Andersson, was on an official visit on the occasion of the RTAF’s 90th anniversary on 26-27 March 2004.
While visiting the RTAF, Maj.Gen Andersson invited the RTAF to visit Sweden and familiarize itself with Gripen. The invitation was accepted and on 24 May, two pilots from the RTAF - Wing Commander Punpakdee Pattanakul (call sign “Kai”) and Wing Commander Manat Chuanprayon (call sign “Maverick”) - arrived at Swedish Air Force (SwAF) base F7 at Såtenäs, 120 kms north of Gothenburg in the west of Sweden.
The F7 wing is the home of two Gripen squadrons and the Gripen Centre, where all Gripen pilots undergo conversion and tactical training on Gripen. The Thai officers were given an introductory course on the Gripen aircraft which included 10 hours of flying.
In parallel, Swedish industry and Swedish authorities have held extensive talks with their Thai counterparts. A joint Swedish-Thai group, at the highest political level, will meet on a regular basis to prepare for a widespread bilateral agreement. The aim is to further develop the relations between Thailand and Sweden and to create a bilateral co-operation program serving as a base for a possible future sale of Gripen to Thailand. An acquisition of Gripen for the RTAF could be part of such a co-operation program, as could other products of the Saab Group or other companies.
“We are naturally very pleased with the positive signals we have received from Thailand”, says Kaj Rosander, Thai Project Manager at Gripen International.
“The Thai Air Force is well known for its high standard of operations and with Gripen being seen as the prime replacement for their F-5’s, it is a further evidence of Gripen’s capabilities both in terms of performance as well economically” he added.