RTAF says five-day Gripen operations against Cambodia prove its air superiority and readiness to defend Thailand.
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) announced on Tuesday that its successful five-day operations with Gripen fighter jets against Cambodian forces demonstrated that it is fully prepared, with modern military capability, to counter national threats.
A senior Thai official told Global Defense Corp that Gripen performed well according to performance criteria defined in the Thai air warfare doctrine.
Long-term investment in air power
In a post on its Facebook page, the RTAF said it has a long-term vision to acquire modern weaponry, maintain its arsenal regularly, and provide continuous training to pilots and personnel to ensure readiness for air defence missions.
It said these preparations enabled the decisive suppression of Cambodian military targets during the five-day operations, in which its Gripen C/D fighter jets provided critical support to Royal Thai Army ground forces.
Ageing jets still the backbone of defence
The RTAF noted that F-16s from Strike Fighter Squadron 103 and Strike Fighter Squadron 403 have been in service for over 37 years, yet remain the mainstay of Thailand’s air defence. Over the decades, they have been deployed to intercept and neutralise aerial threats, as well as carry out special missions.
Air superiority and precision strikes
According to the RTAF, the recent operations along the border showcased the Gripen ability to dominate the airspace and deliver precise, effective strikes in support of ground combat. It said the jets’ accuracy in destroying military targets demoralised enemy forces and shifted the balance of battle.
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has selected the Saab JAS-39 Gripen E/F to replace its older F-16A/B fighters. This decision comes after a competitive evaluation against Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70/72. The RTAF has already been operating Gripen C/D models since the early 2010s. The Gripen E/F was chosen for its ability to meet tactical requirements and stay within budget. The procurement still requires final approval from the Thai government.
The Gripen E/F offers advanced features like the Raven ES05 AES radar, infrared search and track, and compatibility with long-range weapons like the Meteor Missile.
The purchase comes amid regional tensions and border clashes, making the Gripen E/F a key component of Thailand’s defense strategy.
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