Thais may pick Swedish fighters over F-16s

Posted on: Oct. 16th, 2007 || Source: news.com.au | E-mail Article | Print Article

THAILAND'S air force is expected to pick Sweden's Gripen over US F-16s in a $1 billion plan to replace its ageing 12 F-5E fighters, a member of the selection panel said.

Thailand's Air Force chief was due to announce the decision today, a day after the cabinet approved the replacement for the fighters which have been in service for more than four decades, the air force officer said.

There would be two purchases of six each, with the first batch to arrive in 2011, when a first group of F-5Es was due to be decommissioned, said the officer, who declined to be identified.

FILE PHOTO - Saab Gripen - Ready for Action

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