RTAF-SAAB Collaborate on Offset, Defense Industry Development

MGR Online•Society•17d ago

Reader Briefing

The Royal Thai Air Force and SAAB strengthen their partnership by reviewing offset cooperation and planning future defense industry development, including personnel, technology, and education.

•The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and SAAB held the first "Offset Program Management Review" in Sweden.
•The meeting focused on reviewing progress of offset cooperation and defining future work plans.
•Discussions included personnel development, technology transfer, education, and collaboration with academic institutions.
•Both parties agreed on future action items emphasizing continuous progress tracking, information exchange, and close coordination.
•A follow-up meeting is scheduled in Thailand during September.

Overview

•On May 14, 2026, the Royal Thai Air Force participated in the "Offset Program Management Review #1" in Sweden.
•The Royal Thai Air Force met with SAAB representatives to review offset program progress and plan future initiatives.
•The meeting was held to review progress and define future operational guidelines for offset cooperation.
•Cooperation discussions covered personnel development, technology transfer, education, and collaboration with educational institutions.
•The Royal Thai Air Force and SAAB jointly defined Action Items for the next phase of work.
•Both parties are scheduled to meet again in Thailand during September.
•Royal Thai Air Force emphasized the importance of a good relationship with SAAB and the promotion of tangible mutual benefits.
•Continued offset cooperation aims to enhance national defense capabilities, industrial development, and modern technology knowledge.

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Key Entities

Organization

Royal Thai Air Force(กองทัพอากาศไทย)ℹ️

The main Thai military organization involved in the offset cooperation and defense industry development with SAAB.

SAABℹ️

The Swedish defense company partnering with the Royal Thai Air Force on offset programs and defense industry development.

SAAB Aeronautics(บริษัท SAAB ส่วน Aeronautics)ℹ️

A division of SAAB visited during the trip related to the offset cooperation, focusing on aeronautics.

Linköping University(Linköping University)ℹ️

An educational institution in Linköping visited as part of the offset cooperation's focus on academic collaboration.

KTH Royal Institute of Technologyℹ️

A Swedish university visited as part of the offset cooperation's focus on technological and educational development.

Person

Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjidee(พล.อ.อ.ประภาส สอนใจดี)

Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force who chaired the Offset Program Management Review meeting.

Ms Lena-Marie Ilestrand

Head of Offset Contract, Gripen Thailand, representing SAAB at the review meeting.

Mr Robert Björklund(Mr Robert Björklund)

Campaign Director, Gripen Thailand, representing SAAB at the review meeting.

Place

Kingdom of Sweden(ราชอาณาจักรสวีเดน)ℹ️

The location where the "Offset Program Management Review #1" meeting between the Royal Thai Air Force and SAAB was held.

SAAB Headquartersℹ️

The main administrative center of SAAB in Stockholm, visited during the offset cooperation discussions.

Stockholm(กรุง Stockholm)ℹ️

The capital city of Sweden where SAAB Headquarters is located and was visited in relation to the offset cooperation.

Item

Gripen E/F Aircraft(บ.Gripen E/F)ℹ️

The aircraft type involved in the offset agreement between the Royal Thai Air Force and SAAB.

Policy

Offset

A cooperative framework between the Royal Thai Air Force and SAAB aimed at promoting defense industry development and mutual benefits.