
The Defence Ministry supports the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) decision to choose the Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets over the F-16 aircraft from the United States, says Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
Mr Phumtham, also Deputy Prime Minister, provided an update on the 19-billion-baht plan to acquire four new fighter jets. He said the RTAF selected the Gripen fighter jet for another squadron of the Air Force.
“The RTAF currently has two types of fighter jets in service: the Gripen and the F-16. Both types can protect the nation’s sovereignty.
“As the RTAF wants to acquire another squadron, I let the Air Force select the model they prefer as they know best which fighter jet is most suitable to defend our country,” he said after observing both models perform in flight during Children’s Day at the Air Force base in Bangkok on Saturday.
“The procurement should be completed by the end of this year,” said Mr Phumtham.
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