The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) welcomed the Swedish ambassador and CEO of Saab AB, a Swedish defense and security company, to discuss a memorandum of understanding for military equipment.

Deputy spokesman for the Ministry of Defence, Colonel Jittanat Punnothok, revealed that Deputy Minister of Defense General Chaicharn Changmongkol met the Swedish Ambassador, HE Jon Astrom Gröndahl, together with Saab AB CEO Micael Johansson at the Ministry.

Colonel Jittanat said the talks were based on the importance of the 155-year relationship between Thailand and Sweden as the two countries have worked together for a long time in education, technology, environment, energy, waste water treatment, space technology and defence.

Thailand and Sweden agreed to conduct joint Cobra Gold military exercises and sign a memorandum of understanding on military equipment maintenance to improve the Thai army’s capabilities, he said.

Gen Chaicharn expressed his appreciation that Saab AB exhibited its weapons at a defense and security event last year that attracted a large number of contractors.

One source speculated that the visit by the Swedish ambassador and Saab AB CEO could potentially signal a purchase by the RTAF to renew its Erieye radar system installed in the Saab 340, a Swedish airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft.

The source revealed that the Erieye radar system is close to running out as the RTAF has been using the Saab 340 AEW for over 10 years.

The estimated cost of reinstallation is 4.5 billion baht.

In addition, many have anticipated that the RTAF may purchase Gripen fighter jets from Saab AB if the US refuses to sell F-35 fighter jets to Thailand, the source added.

RTAF is awaiting the US decision on the purchase offer.