RTAF celebrates 15 years of Gripen and Saab 340

Matichon•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Royal Thai Air Force celebrated the 15th anniversary of Gripen C/D and Saab 340 deployment with an Elephant Walk at Wing 7.

•The Royal Thai Air Force held a 15th-anniversary celebration for Gripen C/D and Saab 340 aircraft on July 20 at Wing 7, Surat Thani.
•An Elephant Walk featured 9 Gripen C/D and 5 Saab 340 aircraft to symbolize combat readiness.
•The Royal Thai Air Force has initiated the first phase of a new Gripen E/F procurement project for 4 aircraft.
•The total plan for the Gripen E/F project involves 12 aircraft to replace F-16s at Wing 1, Nakhon Ratchasima.

•The Royal Thai Air Force organized a celebration on July 20 at Wing 7 in Surat Thani to mark 15 years of Gripen C/D and Saab 340 service.
•The event featured a flight demonstration and an Elephant Walk consisting of 14 aircraft, including 9 Gripen C/D and 5 Saab 340.
•Gripen C/D aircraft first entered service at Wing 7 on July 7, 2011.
•Air Chief Marshal Ukrit Boontanon stated that the vision in 2011 created the current ecosystem for modern warfare operations.
•Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha stated that Gripen C/D supported joint operations during Thai-Cambodian border incidents.
•The Royal Thai Air Force has signed a contract for 4 Gripen E/F aircraft in the first phase of the Burapha Santi project with a budget of 19,500 million baht.
•The Royal Thai Air Force plans to procure another 8 Gripen E/F aircraft in the second phase by fiscal year 2028 to complete a 12-aircraft squadron.
•The Gripen E/F procurement includes Meteor long-range air-to-air missiles, Data Link systems, and cyber development.

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Air Chief Marshal Ukrit Boontanon

"If there had been no vision in 2011, we would not have the readiness we have today."

หากไม่มีวิสัยทัศน์ปี 2554 เราก็จะยังไม่มีความพร้อมเหมือนในปัจจุบัน

Royal Thai Air Force(กองทัพอากาศ)ℹ️

The military organization celebrating the 15th anniversary of its Gripen and Saab 340 aircraft.

Air Chief Marshal Ukrit Boontanon(พล.อ.อุกฤษฏ์ บุญตานนท์)

The Chief of Defence Forces who attended the celebration ceremony.

Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha(พล.อ.อ.เสกสรร คันธา)

The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force.

Air Chief Marshal Itthiporn Supawong(พล.อ.อ.อิทธพร ศุภวงศ์)

The initiator of the Gripen fighter jet procurement project and former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force.

Air Chief Marshal Prajin Jantong(พล.อ.อ.ประจิน จั่นตอง)

A former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force who attended the ceremony.

Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul(พล.อ.อ.พันธ์ภักดี พัฒนกุล)

A former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force who attended the ceremony.

Wing 7(กองบิน 7)

The air base in Surat Thani where the celebration took place.

Surat Thani Province(จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี)ℹ️

The province where Wing 7 is located.

Wing 1(กองบิน 1)

The air base in Nakhon Ratchasima where F-16s will be replaced by Gripen E/F.

Nakhon Ratchasima Province(จ.นครราชสีมา)ℹ️

The province where Wing 1 is located.

Burapha Santi(บูรพาสันติ)

The name of the project to procure 12 Gripen E/F aircraft.

Royal Thai Air Force White Paper(สมุดปกขาวกองทัพอากาศ)

The document specifying the Gripen E/F procurement to replace F-16s.