3 comments

[ 2.7 ms ] story [ 17.4 ms ] thread
I wonder if they considered SAAB's Gripen[0].

Thailand recently ordered some[1] as tensions with Cambodia have reached concerning levels[2].

Both Thailand and Ukraine need to project the image of themselves being the victim of opression. In the context of the Ukraine War, the purchase of a founding NATO member's aircraft carries a political risk. Until recently, Sweden carried a historical reputation for neutrality[3] that might have benefited Ukraine here - unless Ukraine really is a NATO/Russian proxy battleground.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_JAS_39_Gripen

[1] https://www.saab.com/newsroom/press-releases/2025/saab-recei...

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Cambodian%E2%80%93Thai_bo...

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_neutrality