Government approves Thailand deal

Yesterday the Swedish Government approved the negotiated sale of aircraft and command and control systems to Thailand.

Image: Gripen and Saab 340 with Saab Erieye radar. Right now Gripen are involved in several purchasing processes around the world. Last week Switzerland and Norway also announced that they have Gripen on their short list.

1/25/2008 | The negotiations have been carried out between the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Royal Thai Air Force.

This deal implies that Thailand will purchase six Gripen systems from the Swedish state, two of the C-version (single-seater) and four of the D-version (two-seater). The deal also covers two Saab 340 aircraft, one of which will be equipped with Saab’s Erieye radar.

“This is a milestone and a very positive reinforcement for Saab. This means that there are now customers in six countries who have chosen Gripen. It is also very satisfying that the deal involves several other products from Saab, such as Saab 340, the Erieye surveillance radar and advanced command and control systems”, Åke Svensson, Saab’s CEO and President, comments on the deal.

Now that the government has approved the deal the negotiations between FMV and Saab can be finalised.

“This deal is extremely important for us in our work with potential Gripen customers. This is a new region of the world where Gripen will be in operation. We are now definitely world leading in the export of the new generation’s fighter aircraft and this confirms Gripen’s future export potential”, says Johan Lehander, Managing Director, Gripen International.