http://www.alert5.com/2007/10/air-force-to-get-12-jets.html

The Thai cabinet has approved a request for six Gripen fighters to be delivered from 2008 to 2012 at a cost of Bt19 billion.

Would this involve a barter deal?

i dont think so, i think it's cash, according to earlier news many month ago, the junta seems not to favour barter....but to me barter trade or not it's still the same. their government still have to pay somebody. always remember that chicken farmer dont work for free.

According to the Bangkok Post, "The source said the Swedish offer was sweetened with the offer of two radar surveillance planes for free."

Is there any other press report to cross-check this?

Cheers,
Sunho

That would at least temporarily resolve their need for AEWS... they got it before the Malaysians... :P now the MYs would be racing to find a possible alternative...which allows for barter + cash + trade offsets etc... :P

Wonder wat kind of airborne surveillance planes would be offered.... could it be the same ones as those that the Brazilians got?

Looks like the only plane left on the shelf is the French Rafael...

Wonder wat made the Thais choose outside their traditional US planes... am sure they can get some bargains with F16s that are in the USAF inventories.... but then again it could be the "face" value at work here and also that the military junta in power now doesn't really get the US endorsement...

The US government condemned the Thai military regime that toppled Thaksin Shinawatra's civilian government. The US will not sell F-16s to Thailand for the time being.

Cheers,
Sunho

Aew offer was reported twice.

http://www.alert5.com/2006/01/sweden-in-fu...ntice-deal.html

http://www.alert5.com/2006/03/thais-issue-requirement.html

The Volvo Aero Corporation RM12 is based on the General Electric F-404-400 and there is alot of american stuff in there too.....

((In Bangkok, Thailand yesterday the Thai government announced the down-selection of the Saab Gripen new generation fighter, and the Saab Erieye Airborne Early Warning (AEW) system to meet its national defence needs.
10/17/2007 | The Thai Cabinet has approved a budget of 34,400 billion baht (US$ 1.1 billion) for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to procure 12 (twelve) Gripen multi-role fighters, to replace its ageing fleet of F-5 B/E aircraft, and 2 (two) Saab Erieye AEW aircraft, together with associated equipment and services. Negotiations between Thai and Swedish government officials will now commence in order to conclude a formal agreement.
The procurement process is divided into two phases; Phase 1 (one) covers the procurement of 6 (six) Gripen fighters, including spare parts and training, and 1 (one) Saab Erieye AEW system aircraft in the sum of 19,000 billions baht (US$ 600 million), within a 5 (five) year budgetary commitment from 2008 to 2012. In Phase 2 (two), the RTAF intend to procure an additional 6 (six) Gripen fighters together with associated equipment, spare parts and training, and a second Saab Erieye AEW system aircraft in the sum of 15,400 billions baht (US$ 500 million) within a five year budgetary commitment from 2013 to 2017.
Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Carl Bildt says in a comment on Thailand and Gripen. “I welcome the decision from the Royal Thai government to start negotiations with the Swedish government, to purchase Gripen fighter aircraft and the Saab Erieye Airborne Early Warning (AEW) system. This decision once again confirms that Gripen is a world class and cost effective system. The selection of Gripen was made in fierce competition with advanced US and Russian systems”.
“We must now wait for the result of the formal negotiations that will now commence between the Swedish and Thai authorities. When a formal agreement is in place, this will be managed in accordance with the appropriate export legislation, rules and regulations” he stated.
Since 2003, the RTAF has been evaluating a suitable replacement for its ageing fleet of F-5 B/E fighters to undertake the air defence and protect the national interests of the Kingdom of Thailand. In its evaluations, the RTAF considered the requirements of suitable new generation aircraft to replace its F-5 B/E aircraft, including the need for true multi-role/swing-role capability, new generation flight control systems, communications systems, avionics systems and a weapons system. The new aircraft needed to be capable of joint operations and tactical data linking with allied ground, maritime and air forces, within an effective command and control system. In addition, the costs of operation, maintenance and through-life costs needed to be the lowest of aircraft of the same type.
Following its evaluation process, and in consideration of these critical performance issues, the RTAF has selected the Gripen multi-role fighter, manufactured by Saab to meet its future defence needs.
It is planned that the new Gripen fighters will be delivered into operational service in 2010. Sweden has also offered the Gripen fighters with a 2 (two) years maintenance and spare parts support package.
Moreover, other benefits in the form of Thai – Sweden co-operation are proposed to enhance economic security – such as industrial co-operation, maintenance and logistics co-operation, technology transfer, investment co-operation, export as well as science and technology.)) - www.alert5.com

Looks like the AEW platform they got is the same as Brazil's....

Wonder why the Malaysians didn't get this AEW since it was amongst those that were evaluated by them....

How good is the Erieye anyways?? Definitely not comparable with ours :P

Malaysia evaluate the Caesar 155mm SPH too but the Thai bought it instead..... :D

Royal Thai Air Force Purchases Three VIP S-92® Helicopters

Oct. 16, 2007

SEOUL, Korea, - The Royal Thai Air Force has become the latest head- of-state customer to fly in a Sikorsky S-92® VIP helicopter, as Sikorsky Aircraft today announced the sale of three of the VIP aircraft to transport the Thai royal family. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

The contract was signed by Air Chief Marshal Paisal Sitabutr and Sikorsky representatives, marking the company's first sale to the Royal Thai Air Force. All three aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in 2010.

"Sikorsky is increasing its global presence in the helicopter industry, and the Royal Thai Air Force selection of the S-92 helicopter is further evidence that a strong system of customer support, quality and performance are meeting the expectations of our international customers," said Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing, and service. The company's long commitment to safety and innovation is reflected in its mission statement: "We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home everywhere... every time™." United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries

ATE:17/10/07

SOURCE:Flightglobal.com

Sweden to renew Gripens as Thailand selects Swedish fighter

By Graham Warwick

Thailand has selected the Saab Gripen multirole fighter as the Swedish air force signs a contract to upgrade its aircraft and fund a demonstrator for the next-generation Gripen.

The Thai cabinet has approved the budget to procure 12 Gripen C/Ds and two Saab Erieye airborne early warning aircraft for the Royal Thai Air Force. The Gripens will replace the RTAF's Northrop F-5B/Es.

Phase 1 of the two-stage procurement covers six Gripens and one Erieye, and is budgeted at 19,000 billion baht ($600 million) between 2008 and 2012. The Gripens are to enter RTAF service in 2010.

Phase 2 covers the remaining six Gripens and one Erieye, and is budgeted at 15,400 billion baht ($500 million) between 2013 and 2017.

Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) says it will now begin negotiations with Thailand on the government-to-government deal. It has yet to be determined whether the Gripens will be new-build aircraft or A/Bs taken from the Swedish inventory and remanufactured to C/D standard.

The rebuilding of 31 Gripen A/Bs to C/Ds for the Swedish air force is covered by a SKR3.9 billion ($600 million) contract signed on 17 October. The work will begin in 2008 and the upgraded aircraft will enter service in 2010.

Saab says the upgrade is tied to the decision to reduce the Swedish air force fighter fleet to 100 Gripen C/Ds. The air force currently has 72 C/Ds, and the 31 A/Bs to be upgraded will fill out the force.

Only the engine, radar and some systems from the A/B will be retained during the upgrade, says Saab. The entire airframe will be new-build, and the resulting aircraft will be identical to C/Ds already in service. The upgrade will extend Gripen production to 2012, says Saab.

Included in the overall deal is government funding for the Gripen demonstrator programme. The Gripen Demo will have a new engine, radar, avionics, strengthened airframe, more fuel and expanded weapons capability.

The government has not revealed how much it is contributing to the three-year Demo programme, but Saab says the company is investing SKR1 billion, and suppliers General Electric, Honeywell and Rockwell Collins are also putting in "several hundred million" of their own money.

The Gripen Demo is to fly next year, and will test structural and system upgrades that could be retrofitted into Gripen C/Ds as well as demonstrating capabilities for a future new-build aircraft that Saab is calling the Next Generation Gripen.

The second phase of the Demo programme will include a new active electronically scanned array radar. Saab has evaluated four radars, including AESAs from Raytheon, Selex and Thales, with a decision to be announced by year-end.

Aimed at the export market, the Next Generation Gripen is intended to be "better than the Joint Strike Fighter, apart from those things a superpower needs", says Saab.

Is there any information about SAAB's claim? How is next generation of Gripen better that F35? :blink:

The US may not sell F16s to the Thai due to domestic political pressure but I do not think they will go to the extend of stopping Sweden's transaction. After all the Thai military is still a major US ally in this part of the world.

A quote from this article "Sweden in further bid to entice deal on jets" by The Nation, published on January 12, 2006:

Hey, I do not think that the Erieys AEW is offered FOC. The Swed is probably being offered more chickens for barter trade? Sigh... more chickens would have being slaughtered and shrimps would have to be grown on farms to barter trade :blink: :ph43r:

Sweden in further bid to entice deal on jets

Is Sweden really so desperate to realise the sale that they offered what is mentioned above? :rolleyes:

whats wrong with barter trade? it's still money....the Thai airforce still need to fork out half a billion dollars for the plane. chicken farmers dont work for free. most of us in the world are not vegetarian and if you're a vegetarian than too bad lah.

whats the point in spending billions of baht on a product and you're restricted to fully utilise it?

well....just to side track a little....dr m once said that TUDM paid millions of ringgit for the hornets and they cannot even bomb singapore.......

im sure the american impose the same rule when we bought weapons.....

Are you saying the American clipped the capabilities of RSAF's Vipers? :o

So, do you mean that RSAF acquired Vipers and Strike Eagles is an unwise decision? After all we know that the American do not release the source codes of their warplanes to foreign users. Should we now opt for next generation Gripen instead? The manufacturer did claimed that it is in some ways better than F35. No specification is available though. At least on paper... :ph43r:

IIRC, Dr M did mentioned about the limited attacking capability of their Hornets and I believe that the capabilities are being clipped on the software side. Probably certain AG modes are not being made available for them to fire or launch certain weapons. B)

wise or unwise is up to the government or DSTA. nobody know whats the deal is anyway. look at australia....if their ex-PM were to be believe, they took the trouble cracking the code themselves even though australia is a staunch supporter of america, they send commandos to fight alongside the american way before the gulf war 1....are you from Mindef or DSTA?

im not with mindef or DSTA....i do landscaping....i draw trees. so what do i know.... :rolleyes:

that is Dr M being annoyed and annoying people, whose already gone thru 2nd bypast and i believe the 3rd is coming soon after Abdullah Badawi wish Singapore and Indonesia selamat hari raya live on TV.....

Weapon systems of the Gripen
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/wp/ima...l_Nyholm_lg.jpg

The 4+ Generation Fighter-Bomber Gripen
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/images..._Drawing_lg.jpg

Cutaway view of the Gripen
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/images..._Cutaway_lg.jpg

Two Seater South African JAS 39D
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/images..._Rotated_lg.jpg


The package for Thailand (Gripen + AEW)
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/images...d_JAS-39_lg.jpg]


Cutaway view of the SAAB Erieye AEW aircraft
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/images..._Cutaway_lg.jpg

Thailand has decided to replace its aging F-5 fighters with a dozen Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighters . These will cost about $55 million each (with spares, support and training.) The 14 ton JAS-39 is roughly comparable with the latest versions of the F-16. It is also used by Sweden, South Africa, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

The first six will be delivered before 2011, the second six will not all arrive until 2017.

At the same time, two Swedish Erieye AEW (Aerial Early Warning) aircraft are also being purchased, for US$170 million each. The system is a Saab 2000 airliner mounting a Swedish Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar (which consists of thousands of tiny radars that can be independently aimed in different directions). This is similar to the AESA radar used on the American JSTARS aircraft, enabling it to locate vehicles moving on the ground. The Swedish AESA is cheaper, because its built like a long bar, mounted on top of the aircraft. This means the radar can only see, in a 120 degree arc, off both sides of the aircraft. A 60 degree arc in the front and back is uncovered. The radar can spot large aircraft out to nearly 500 kilometers, and more common fighter sized aircraft at about 300 kilometers. The Saab 2000 is a 22 ton, twin prop aircraft, with a cruising speed of 660 kilometers an hour. The aircraft can stay in the air about four hours per sortie. The radar can also spot ships at sea, and thus can also fill in for maritime reconnaissance.

Aiya. chill out on the source code issue lar.

You buy Windows XP or Vista, Microsoft also don't give you the source code to let you develop drivers for ur own hardware rite?

And naturally, what you pay is what you get. You pay 100+ bucks, you don't expect to get a full XP Professional with Client-Server/NTFS Permissions Security features wad. They'll just give you an XP Home Edition that lets you do the minimal.

Same with deals with M'sia.

I'm just waiting for the latest scandal with their MKMs to surface. HOHO!

You beli bad. Waiting to see fireworks at the box seat. :lol: :D :P

Hi spiderweb6969, my replies to your posts are meant to encourage discussion only and no, I'm not from MINDEF or DSTA. :D My daily work involve figures in $ value and lots of words. :lol:

Sweden's sale of fighter jets to Thailand generates controversy
By Ivar Ekman Published: October 18, 2007

STOCKHOLM: Thailand has announced that it would purchase six Swedish-made jet fighters, with an option to buy another six, generating both relief and skepticism here.

The deal for the six Gripen-JAS 39C/D multi-role fighters, valued at 3.7 billion kronor, or $600 million, was a long-awaited boost to the efforts by the Swedish government, and the airplane maker Saab, to market the plane internationally. Previously, Gripen fighters have been sold to South Africa and leased to the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Peter Larsson, a spokesman for Saab, said that the deal, announced on Wednesday, was "very welcome." Saab is one among several companies bidding for a contract to sell 126 jet fighters to India, and Larsson said that the Thai deal was especially positive "as a signal that we now are established in Asia."

The Swedish foreign minister, Carl Bildt, said in a statement that "this decision once again confirms that Gripen is a world class and cost-effective system."

But the announcement also drew heavy criticism, mainly because Thailand has been ruled by a military junta since a coup in September, 2006.

"Thailand is a military dictatorship, and Sweden has no business selling weapons to military dictatorships," said Ola Mattson, secretary general of the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society.

Larsson of Saab said that Thailand was "on the path back to becoming a democracy," and that elections had been announced for Dec. 23 by the military rulers.

Another point of contention is Sweden's role as a major manufacturer of arms, as well as a high-profile dove in international affairs. This is a double role that observers say has become much more difficult in the past few years.

During the Cold War, Sweden built up a strong domestic defense industry in order for its neutrality policy - Sweden stood outside both NATO and the Warsaw Pact - to be credible, said Jan Joel Andersson, program director at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs. But after communism collapsed, an industry which had primarily supplied the Swedish military has become much more dependent on exports.

"It has become a tough balancing act to at once hail peace and peaceful development, and at the same time export arms," he said.

Others put it more bluntly.

"It's simply not credible," Mattsson said, pointing to how Sweden is pushing for tougher regulations in a new arms trade treaty currently being negotiated in the UN. "You can't one day say that it's important to build peace, and the next do all you can to sell high-tech weapons."

Saab to fly Future Gripen fighter by late 2008
Flight International ^ | 10/09/07 | Craig Hoyle

Posted on 09/10/2007 9:07:14 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

Saab to fly Future Gripen by late 2008

By Craig Hoyle

Saab, meanwhile, expects to fly a two-seat demonstrator for an increased-size Future Gripen by late 2008, with risk-sharing partners including General Electric, Honeywell, Terma and Thales now onboard.

The aircraft's outer mould line has not yet been frozen, but windtunnel tests have recently been conducted by Switzerland's Ruag. The design features a relocated and strengthened main undercarriage, two additional stores pylons and a 35-40% increase in internal fuel capacity. "We have been very pleased with what we have seen, and with the performance of the [GE] F414 engine," says Lehander.

Hungary's last three of 14 Gripens will be delivered by year-end, while the second of 28 to be produced for launch export customer South Africa will fly for the first time in December. The latter nation's first example will enter service next March.


...

From http://www.gripen.com/en/MediaRelations/Ne...070619_demo.htm


Gripen Demo – Trail-blazing the future

Saab is launching its plans for a new Gripen Demonstrator programme in partnership with some of the world’s leading aerospace companies.

6/19/2007 | “This programme will keep Gripen at the leading edge well beyond 2040”, says Johan Lehander, Managing Director Gripen International.

A powerful partnership between Saab and some of the world’s leading aerospace companies has been established to prepare the launch of the Gripen Demonstrator programme. This new programme is aimed at demonstrating a range of future technologies and capabilities to ensure that Gripen remains at the leading edge of fighter aircraft performance and capability well beyond 2040.



The demonstrator programme will include the development of a new Gripen test flying platform - Gripen Demo - and the Gripen Avionics Rig. Gripen Demo will include new features such as a new engine with increased thrust, an AESA radar, increased range, new landing gear, increased weapons and stores capabilities and enhanced avionics structures. The programme is driven by the future needs of current and potential customers, and incorporates state-of-the-art technology that will keep Gripen at the leading edge well into the future.

This programme complements and enhances Gripen’s ongoing technology insertion programme with the highly successful Gripen C/D version now being delivered to customers worldwide.

Investment in the programme will be made by Saab and its international industrial partners, as well as potential future customers. In April 2007, Norway signed a Letter of Agreement regarding the future development of Gripen, valued at around USD 25 million, and the Swedish government is also expected to make a decision soon. These decisions represent a significant national and international government investment and commitment to Gripen’s future.

General Electric together with Volvo, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, APPH, Martin-Baker and Terma are just some of the world-leading aerospace companies that, together with Saab, will jointly invest in the Gripen Demonstrator programme. Saab is continuing its discussions with other industrial partners and suppliers regarding further investment in the programme.

This combination of international corporate partnership and national and international commitment, through a jointly funded industry and government investment programme, is a very powerful testament to Gripen’s future.

“The Gripen Demonstrator programme, supported by our world leading industrial partners, will strengthen our position in the international market and will keep Gripen at the leading edge throughout its lifetime, well beyond 2040”, says Johan Lehander Managing Director Gripen International.

Now the very last obstacle is from the Swedish politicians and human rights NGOs.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/260808_News/26Aug2008_news30.php

whoa.

alot of possibilities.

police/army rivalries ? split between the pilots and the generals in the airforce ? dark side of the gripen rears its ugly head.

wow. i never knew the gripen was that expensive as well. 93 million USD vs a 42 million per plane cost for the south africans. kick backs or kopi money at play here or simply politicians politicking about ? if its a kickback. wow.seriously big money floating about here.

gripen better over sea.. hmm. interesting.

US$93million per Gripen?! But then again nobody should be surprised with that kind of price tag. I remember sometime ago there were reports that the Indonesian Air Force's Hawk light attack trainer jet costs more than an F-16. So what's new? :rolleyes:

off topic haha but i remember almost buying an international driving permit and press pass from khao san road.

i don't know about the Gripen contract details, but chances are there is going to be a rather painful cancellation fee of sorts.

now that democratically-elected government has been restored in thailand, US new-build/AMARC F-16C/Ds may become an option once more, for a much better value-for-money deal IMO. still, many other factors will play in State/Defense Depts' decision to release fighters for sale.

and if, just if, the thai politicians really mean what they say - STAero wouldn't refuse an F-5S/T upgrade....