Thai Air Force faces a choice between F-16 and Gripen to replace aging fleet

The Royal Thai Air Force plans to acquire 12 new fighter jets — either the US F-16 or the Swedish Gripen — to replace an aging fleet in the coming years after failing last year to procure its No. 1 choice: the most advanced US F-35.

The acquisition plan would be released when the Air Force issues a White Paper on its long-term air defense strategy at the end of February, according to Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul, the commander-in-chief of the Air Force.

The Air Force would consider aircraft efficiency and capacity, the appropriateness and budget-worthiness of the warplane for hardware procurement, he said, adding that the public would be given a proper explanation.

The budget outlay for the acquisition plan has not been disclosed yet, but it was expected that the Air Force would initially request at least 19 billion baht from the government for the first batch of…