Get to Know the JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Jet: Price, Versions, and Is It Bett

When it comes to Thailand’s most advanced fighter jet, one name clearly stands out: JAS 39 Gripen. Produced by Saab in Sweden, this versatile aircraft has earned its place in the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) as a modern, cost-effective, and agile solution to replace the aging F-5 and F-16 fleets.

But what exactly is the JAS-39 Gripen in Thailand? How many jets does the country have? What’s the price of one Gripen? And how does it compare with the ever-popular F-16 Fighting Falcon?

✈️ What is the JAS 39 Gripen?

Gripen (Swedish for “Griffin”) is a 4.5 generation multi-role fighter jet built by Saab, designed to perform all kinds of missions:

• Jakt (J) – Air-to-air combat

• Attack (A) – Air-to-ground strikes

• Spaning (S) – Reconnaissance and surveillance

Hence the name JAS 39.

Its strengths lie in affordability, high agility, and cutting-edge avionics — making it popular among smaller air forces that want advanced capabilities without the extreme cost of fifth-generation fighters like the F-35.

🇹🇭 How Many Gripens Does Thailand Have?

Thailand operates 11 Gripen C/D jets as of 2025. Here’s the breakdown:

• 8 Gripen C (single-seat, combat version)

• 4 Gripen D (two-seat, trainer version)

However, 1 Gripen C crashed in 2017 during a Children’s Day airshow in Hat Yai, bringing the total down to:

👉 7 Gripen C + 4 Gripen D = 11 operational aircraft

These jets were delivered between 2011 and 2013 under a modernization program by the Royal Thai Air Force.

🆚 Gripen C/D vs Gripen E/F: What’s the Difference?

Feature

Gripen C/D (Thailand)

Gripen E/F (New Generation)

Entry into Service

2005–2010

2020+

Radar

PS-05/A (mechanical)

AESA ES-05 Raven

Missiles

AMRAAM, IRIS-T

Meteor, AIM-120C-8

Payload

~5,300 kg

~7,200 kg

Combat System

MS20 upgrade

AI-based data fusion

Price (per unit)

~$45–50 million

~$85 million

In June 2025, Thailand approved the purchase of 12 Gripen E/F fighters, with the first batch of 4 jets to be delivered by 2029.

🔍 Gripen vs. F-16: Which is Better for Thailand?

While the F-16 is one of the most widely used fighter jets globally, the Gripen offers some serious advantages in the Thai context:

Criteria

Gripen C/D

F-16 A/B (Thailand)

Age

Newer

Older (Block 15 OCU)

Operational Cost

~$4,700/hour

~$7,000/hour

Electronic Warfare

Advanced

Moderate

Runway Requirement

Short/Highway-capable

Needs longer runways

Interoperability

Strong NATO datalink

Legacy system

✅ Gripen lands on highways
✅ Cheaper to maintain
✅ Easier to train and support

The F-16 Block 70/72 (newer version) offers higher thrust and range, but comes with a significantly higher cost and more complex logistics.

💰 How Much Does a Gripen Cost?

As of 2025:

• Gripen C/D (older model):
  $45–50 million per unit (~1.4 billion THB)

• Gripen E/F (new model):
  $80–85 million per unit (~2.7 billion THB)

Thailand’s new 12-aircraft order is valued at 60 billion baht, including support and training packages, with deliveries beginning in 2029.

✅ Why Is Gripen the Smart Choice for Thailand?

Gripen is not the most powerful fighter in the world — but for Thailand, it offers a strategic balance of cost, capability, and versatility:

• ✔️ Advanced sensors and radar

• ✔️ Highway operations (Gripen road-landing ability)

• ✔️ Interoperable with NATO equipment

• ✔️ Easy to maintain in tropical environments

• ✔️ Strong air-defense and strike capacity

📌 Summary: Gripen offers Thailand a powerful, adaptable, and economically sustainable solution to modern air defense — especially as older F-16s are phased out. With a mix of current Gripen C/Ds and upcoming E/Fs, the Royal Thai Air Force is building a more flexible and modern aerial force.