전투기 태국 공군, F-16을 제치고 그리펜 E/F 선정 권고

[위종민]

태국 공군이 차기 전투기 선정 경쟁에서 F-16을 제치고 그리펜 E/F를 선정했다고 지난 화요일 페이스북을 통해 발표했습니다. 다만 공군이 정부에 권고하고 정부가 최종 결정을 내리는데, 정부가 군의 권고를 무시할 수 있어 정부 차원의 최종 결정은 아직이라고 하네요. 

2025년부터 2029년 사이에 4대, 2034년까지 8대를 옵션으로 구매하는 것이 계획이라고 합니다. 

태국공군은 F-16과 그리펜 구형 모델들을 모두 운용하고 있습니다 

Thailand’s air force supports buying Gripen fighters over F-16 - Breaking Defense

Thailand’s air force supports buying Gripen fighters over F-16

Saab called it a "positive" step but cautioned that the government will have the final procurement say.

By   Aaron Mehtaon August 27, 2024 at 4:44 PM

Thailand is one step closer to selecting the Gripen for its next-generation fighter. (Saab)

WASHINGTON — Thailand’s military today publicly endorsed the Saab Gripen E/F as its choice for its next fighter jet, a move the Swedish firm called “very positive” but preliminary.

According to a statement posted to the Thai Air Force’s Facebook page, the Gripen has been identified as the “most suitable” option for mordernizing its fleet. While that is not the final word — the government will make a final decision and can override the military’s recommendation  — it does represent a major, and public, vote of support towards the Swedish company over its competitor Lockheed Martin and its F-16 Block 70/72.

“Saab confirm‎s that the Royal Thai Air Force has announced their wish to purchase Saab´s Gripen fighter,” a spokesperson for Saab told Breaking Defense. “This is clearly very positive for Saab and for Sweden but as this point there is no contract or any order in place. Saab is looking forward to continuing our discussions with the Royal Thai Air Force and the authorities regarding future fighter capabilities for Thailand.”

Previous reporting had indicated the Air Force was leaning towards the Gripen, but nothing had been made official until today. According to a report in the Bangkok Post, a major factor in the decision was what industrial offsets — side benefits the contractor provides to the buying nation that often work as sweeteners to the deal — the two teams were offering, although details of those packages are not currently public.

Per Reuters, the Thai government has budgeted roughly $560 million to buy four new jets between 2025 and 2029, with the goal of buying another eight before 2034.

Thailand operates older versions of both the Gripen and F-16, meaning the country’s pilots should have less of a learning curve as they transition into the next-generation fighters, regardless of what the final choice is.

Thai AF Selects Gripen E/F Over Vipers - Malaysian Defence

Thai AF Selects Gripen E/F Over Vipers - Malaysian Defence

Thai AF Selects Gripen E/F Over Vipers

28 August 2024 Marhalim Abas Defence Contract 0

First Brazilian Gripen E on its maiden flight. Saab.

SHAH ALAM: Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) on Tuesday announced it has selected the Saab Gripen E/F fighter jets from Sweden over the US-made F-16 Block 70 Vipers. In a statement, RTAF chief ACM Phanphakdee Phattanakul said the selection committee made its decision after studying additional details submitted by both contenders on Aug 20.

The details are issues with offsets – such as technology transfer and training – of which was a great importance to the Thai military in procurement.

Wing 7 aircraft, Saab 340 Erieye and Saab JAS 39 Gripen with a full weapons load.
After reviewing the factors, the panel chose the Gripen E/F over the F-16 Block 70/72 jets, ACM Phanphakdee was quoted as saying in a statement. RTAF will be the second export customer for Gripen E/F after Brazil. RTAF already operates 11 Gripen C/D fighters.

The statement released on Facebook as translated into English:

The Air Force has selected JAS 39 Gripen E/F to be included in the new squadron attack squadron.
According to the Air Force, the project of providing the 1st phase replacement fighter aircraft in the fiscal year 2568-2572 to replace the 19th/K or F-16 A/B fighter aircraft at 102th Squadron, 1st Squadron, which has been on duty since the year 2018. ศ. 2531 has been more than 36 years. The procurement project is a project that the Air Force gives great importance as specified in the White Book of Air Force. ศ. 2567 (RTAF Whitepaper 2024). Since it is a project that requires a high budget from the taxes of the citizens, the Committee considers choosing and determining the method of supplying a replacement fighter aircraft of the Air Force, which is assigned by the Commander of the Air Force. Therefore, it is aware that the consideration of carrying out such a project will have to be done with careful detail in order to make it worthwhile to provide a fighter fighter aircraft for the mission of defense of the country. Ngnoi, 30 years.
Both, the replacement attack fighter aircraft must be a better capable aircraft than the attack fighter aircraft that the Air Force is active at the moment. Commonality & Continuity can be developed according to the strategy of the Air Force and Thai Army in the future. Also, Offset Policy must be implemented in order to develop towards sustainable self-reliance. Economic value and increase Thailand’s chance to compete in the international stage.
Based on the above key principles and considerations, the Model Selection Committee has carefully specified the procedures and criteria for consideration, taking a period of more than 10 months to implement. It can be concluded that the JAS 39 Gripen E/F fighter jet has a capability range that meets the principled and strategic needs of the Air Force, is free of operation and can be developed further leading to increased multidimensional operational capability. ( Multi-Domain Operations) between the Air Force together with the Thai Army Command, Army, Navy and other security agencies, under a network-centered operational concept in the future, as well as in line with the allocated budget framework by the Air Force, throughout the proposal under the direct import of weapons compensation policy to create opportunities for the development of the defense industry leading to self-reliance. Standard level entry and indirect reimbursement to provide scholarships to overseas personnel both within the Air Force and the general public to have advanced knowledge and skills, including technology transfer in the environment and agriculture, all the way to the creation of innovation hubs leading to enhanced revenue generating productivity and increasing the competitiveness for Thailand to further develop the economy in various fields in the long term.
The Air Force therefore asks for the confidence of its brothers and sisters to carry out the project to procure JAS 39 Gripen E/F Fighter Fighter Jet to provide a value under public tax budget. Transparent, verifiable and efficient, it will result in the acquisition of high-performance tactics to be used to defend sovereignty and preserve national air interests. It can respond effectively to current and future environmental threats, according to the Statute. Budget picture and country’s development approach according to government policy.

Gripen E
With the selection, the procurement programme will now move to the Thai government and the Cabinet which in recent days saw the recent election of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. It is unclear when the contract will be signed though.

— Malaysian Defence

Royal Thai Air Force - Wikipedia

Royal Thai Air Force - Wikipedia

[백선호]

오래된 F-16을 JAS-39E/F로 교체하고 JAS-39C/D는 그대로 쓰면 나름대로 기종 통일(?)을 하는 셈이네요.

[위종민]

F-16 교체 시기가 도래하긴 했는데 50대를 교체하기엔 12대는 턱없이 모자란 물량이고.. 2차 사업을 진행할 텐데 그 때도 그리펜을 고를 지 지켜봐야겠네요.

[여행자김씨]

JAS-39E/F로 대동단결이 되었으니 KF-21과 멀어질 가능성이 높겠네요