According to Thai PBS Verify, which reviews and screens news for veracity to reduce the spread of fake news, the article by The Phnom Penh Post that was posted on X on July 31st, which reads “Sweden suspends sale of additional Gripen fighter jets after Thai air force bombs Cambodia,” is distorted information.
The post attracted 12,000 views, with the same post on Facebook attracting 2,000 likes and 500 shares.
The full post reads:
“Sweden suspends sale of additional Gripen fighter jets after Thai air force bombs Cambodia. For nearly 40 years, Sweden’s Gripen aircraft have never killed anyone. Thailand was the first nation to use them in combat, according to the Breaking Defense website, in a story published on July 29. The recent Thai airstrikes on targets in Cambodia mark the first time Gripens have been used for bombing missions, beyond training or demonstration purposes, it explained.”[sic]
Thailand has previously announced its plan to procure a second batch of Gripen fighter jets, to reinforce the fleet of 11 JAS-39C/D aircraft currently stationed in Surat Thani province. The country has officially selected the Saab JAS-39E/F Gripen as the platform for its future combat squadrons.
The initial plan is to purchase three single-seat JAS-39E jets and one two-seat JAS-39F jet, with an initial budget of 19.5 billion baht (~US$596m).
No decision to suspend fighter jet sales to Thailand – Swedish Embassy
The Swedish Embassy in Bangkok has clarified that there has been no decision to suspend sales of Gripen fighter jet sales to Thailand.
The post reads:
“There are many rumours spreading at the moment regarding the purchase of Gripen fighter jets by the Royal Thai Air Force. There has been no decision taken to suspend further Gripen sales to Thailand.”
The Royal Thai Air Force has confirmed the use of fighter jets in operations over the Thai-Cambodian border, describing them as limited defensive responses to escalating military threats.
Air Force spokesman Air Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee stated that “The airstrikes were directed exclusively at lawful military targets that posed a threat to Thailand’s national security.”
He emphasised that the operations complied with international law and proportional rules of engagement, citing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter as the legal basis for Thailand’s use of force.
Fighter jet procurement is ongoing – Defence Ministry
Following rumours that the Swedish government might suspend fighter jet sales to Thailand, Deputy Defence Minister Gen. Nattaphon Nakpanich stated that he had not received any official report on the matter, but believes “there should be no problem” as relations between Thailand and Sweden remain smooth and without conflict.
The Royal Thai Air Force also issued a statement, via its official Facebook page, dismissing the reports as disinformation.
It reads:
“ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE Confirmed “Disinformation” Cambodian media reports alleging that Sweden has suspended further Gripen sales to the Royal Thai Air Force constitute a distortion of the facts. The procurement process is still ongoing.” [sic]
How are sales of Swedish arms regulated?
The administrator of Thaiarmedforce.com told Thai PBS Verify that Western countries typically impose strict conditions on arms sales. These often include requirements that buyers must be democratic nations which uphold human rights and ensure the adequate protection of military secrets. Sweden follows these same principles.
There are, though, no explicit restrictions prohibiting the use of Swedish-made military equipment for national defense, nor does Sweden bar arms exports to countries involved in armed conflict. A clear example is Sweden’s ongoing weapons support to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
In Thailand’s case, there is no evidence that Gripen aircraft have been used to strike civilian targets, such as hospitals, markets or residential areas. Their use has been limited to clearly identified military objectives.
