6 Gripen from Sweden Land Today

6 RTAF's JAS-39 Gripen during long travel covered with Swedish simbol and

installed with 2 external fuel tank (all photos : Legiero)

22 February 2011 DEFENSE STUDIES

New era for air force with modern jets. The arrival of six Gripen jet fighters today will usher in a modern era for the Royal Thai Air Force, commander Itthaporn Subhawong says. The air force will take delivery of 12 Swedish-made Gripen fighters, worth almost 40 billion baht, after the cabinet approved the purchase of the jets in 2008 when Samak Sundaravej was the prime minister and defence minister. The Gripen 39 C/D aircraft will replace the ageing F-5A/B jets. The F-5A/B aircraft will be completely phased out by the end of this year.