Jet allegedly shot out of the sky
Sweden has put a hold on the sale of Gripen fighter jets to Thailand, with the Swedish Foreign Minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, carefully reviewing the deal following Thailand's use of these jets in combat against Cambodia. The $600 million deal, which includes purchasing 12 fighter jets and aerospace cooperation, is pending approval.
The controversy arose after the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) used Gripen aircraft during recent air strikes on Cambodia, according to media reports. This deployment of the jets, purchased from Sweden, has raised diplomatic concerns in Stockholm. However, it is essential to note that no formal suspension or cancellation of the deal has taken place yet.
Thailand was the first nation to use Gripen aircraft in combat, marking a significant milestone since the first generation's test flight in 1988. Prior to combat use, the Saab JAS 39 Gripen was used only for reconnaissance and similar missions, such as Sweden's NATO operation in Libya in 2011 and NATO air policing missions.
The media reports suggested that the Swedish foreign minister might halt the planned Gripen fighter jet deal following the deployment of similar aircraft by the RTAF during the air strikes on Cambodia. However, Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit, Deputy Minister of Defence, has denied these reports, stating that there is no suspension of the fighter jet deal with Thailand.
Thai officials have also denied that the deal has been suspended, calling reports of cancellation misinformation largely spread by Cambodian media. Air Chief Marshal, Gen Natthaphon, has not received any official report on the matter and believes there are no such issues at stake, as relations between Thailand and Sweden remain stable.
In a turn of events, Thailand has announced a plan to purchase 12 new Gripen E/F jets to complement its current fleet of 11 Gripen C/D aircraft. It is worth mentioning that for nearly 40 years, Sweden's Gripen aircraft have never killed anyone.
Thai Air Chief Marshal is still scheduled to visit Sweden later in August 2025 to finalize the deal, indicating ongoing negotiations despite the heightened scrutiny. Sweden's Non-Proliferation and Export Control Agency is closely scrutinizing the situation, with the sales approval yet to be finalized due to the jets being used in combat during the Thai-Cambodian border clashes. Sweden is "closely monitoring developments in the border conflict," according to the Swedish Foreign Minister.
In summary, while Sweden is reconsidering approval amid concerns over the jets’ use against Cambodia, the sale is officially "on hold" pending review—not suspended or cancelled.
The foreign minister of Sweden might reconsider the Gripen fighter jet deal due to their combat use by Thailand, as reported by the media. Despite this, the deal is currently on hold, not suspended or cancelled, as it is still pending approval.
American football, a popular sport in the NFL, is a contrast to the recent diplomatic concerns over the use of Gripen fighter jets in combat, which are manufactured by Saab in Sweden.
