The Gripen JAS 39C is a multi-purpose function jet fighter manufactured by Sweden's Saab.
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has acquired 12 Swedish aircraft to replace the F-5A/B jets that were decommissioned with a budget of more than 19 billion baht.
The fleet is assigned to Squadron 701 of Surat Thani-based Wing 7 as part of efforts to strengthen the country's defence capabilities.
The RTAF's procurement of the Gripen jet fighters was divided into two phases.
The first batch of six aircraft was acquired from 2008-11 along with a Saab340 AEW-Airborne Early Warning aircraft and a Saab 340 transport plane. The second batch of six Gripen was delivered in 2013. The air force plans to buy four or six more Gripen jet fighters.