The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Su-30 MKI jets conducted joint drills with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Gripens, just days after Swedish manufacturer SAAB once again pitched its Gripen-E/F to the IAF for its Multirole Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program.
“IAF is undertaking a joint in-situ air exercise with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). The exercise will enhance operational coordination and interoperability between the two Air Forces. IAF Su-30MKI, AWACS, AEW&C, and IL-78 refuelling aircraft are participating in the Ex, alongside RTAF Gripen aircraft, strengthening Indo-Thai defence cooperation and regional synergy,” the Indian Air Force wrote on X on February 10, 2026.
The drills are aimed at enhancing interoperability and operational coordination between the two Air Forces near the strategic Malacca Strait.
The Strait of Malacca handles roughly one-quarter of global seaborne trade and a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making it a vital route for international trade and energy, especially for China.
Beijing has identified the Strait of Malacca as the primary chokepoint in the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC), which connects China’s main ports to Gulf nations and to African and European markets.
The strait is a narrow body of water, just 65–250 kilometers wide, making it easy for neighboring countries to shut it down during a potential conflict. This poses a tremendous challenge for China, given that it is surrounded by key U.S. allies, including Indonesia, Singapore, and India.
The Indo-Thai drills involved frontline jets from both sides: IAF deployed Su-30MKI multirole fighters, operating from bases in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to enable extended-range operations. RTAF participated with JAS 39 Gripen fighters, launching from Thai air bases.
These aircraft converged over the northern approaches of the Malacca Strait for high-intensity training, focusing on complex aerial maneuvers, combat tactics, long-range mission execution, mid-air refueling, surveillance integration, and maritime domain awareness.
The location near the Malacca Strait highlights shared interests in safeguarding freedom of navigation, enhancing maritime security, and promoting regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
This in-situ (on-site) exercise aligns with India’s “Act East” policy, fostering closer ties with Southeast Asian nations amid shared concerns over regional stability. The exercise signifies airpower integration while building on past maritime-focused cooperation, such as Disaster Relief HADR missions and other non-combat engagements.
Notably, these drills are IAF’s first international air exercise of 2026. It came months after the IAF deployed the Su-30MKI fighter jets in a brief but intense border clash with Pakistan in May 2025.
The JAS 39 Gripen jet made its combat debut last year, after nearly four decades in service. The RTAF deployed its Gripen C/D fighters in a targeted strike against Cambodian artillery positions in July 2025.
The joint drills come at a time when Saab has intensified efforts to sell the Gripen jet to the IAF under the Multirole Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program.
Gripens For India
Saab describes the Gripen-E as “Designed to defeat any adversary. Designed for forward-thinking air forces, Gripen E incorporates cutting-edge technologies and the latest systems, sensors, weapons, and pods to ensure combat advantage and deliver air superiority in highly contested environments. Silent networking and total sensor fusion across a tactical air unit to blind and confuse the enemy.”
The Swedish manufacturer further sweetened its Gripen-E/F pitch to India, a year after it officially renewed the pitch ahead of Aero India 2025.
Speaking at Singapore Air Show, Mikael Franzen, Chief Marketing Officer for Gripen and Vice President of Business Area Aeronautics at Saab, told reporters that the Gripen-E is “the most modern and cost-effective fighter jet system on the market” and would significantly enhance the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) air power through world-leading sensor fusion, networking capabilities and rapidly expanding artificial intelligence features.”
The official further said that, in discussions with the Government of India (GoI), the company suggested building the world’s most sophisticated aerospace sector, with multi-layered design, production, and maintenance.
In an effort to entice the IAF, which currently operates a diverse fleet of jets, the Saab official stated that the Gripen E/F will complement the IAF’s Rafale and Tejas fleets.
“The highest availability of any fighter gives an unrivalled combat mass to counter any adversary. Gripen will fit perfectly in the IAF together with Rafale and Tejas,” the official emphasised.
The IAF wants to acquire the MRFA under the ‘Make in India’ policy, where the aircraft will be licensed-produced in India, bolstering the country’s local industries and allowing the IAF to upgrade and modify the aircraft locally.
“We foresee that we can set up full-scale production in India, which will include everything, not just the airframe, but also systems and software. We have a plan to rapidly indigenise the platform. We have had favourable discussions with a host of private partners who will support us in our indigenisation efforts,” the company had stated last year.
The revised proposal includes phased production and technology transfer in India, involvement of over 300 companies for design, production, sustainment, and maintenance, and rapid deliveries. Additionally, it goes a step further by promising assistance with India’s indigenous fifth-generation aircraft program, AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).
“The infusion of industrial capabilities and new technologies makes Gripen a potential stepping stone to bolster India’s indigenous fighter projects such as AMCA,” Franzen said.
Interestingly, Russia has also made a similar pitch, aggressively marketing its fifth-generation Su-57 stealth aircraft to the IAF.
The SAAB marketing chief referred to the Gripen E as a “game changer” on two levels: first, as a platform that can be swiftly and extensively deployed, and second, as a technological powerhouse that, via constant updates and improvements, makes it possible to become proficient in kill-chain operations, net-centric warfare, and electronic warfare.
The timing of this offer is particularly significant, as it came amid reports that the Indian Air Force was looking to finalise a contract for 114 Rafale multirole fighter jets under the MRFA.
However, on February 11, 2026, Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the IAF, clarified that Rafale was among the aircraft under consideration for acquisition, but the final decision had not been taken.
Saab has based its pitch on operational independence that the aircraft will provide to the IAF, along with fast deliveries. Although the independence and sovereignty of Gripens are debated due to the use of foreign parts, such as American engines, Saab says that it could deliver the first aircraft within three years of receiving the order.
Notably, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) chose the Gripen-E/F over the American F-16 fighter jets—ending a decade-long lull in export orders. This was followed by orders from Colombia and a Letter of Intent (LoI) signed by Ukraine for about 100 Gripen jets. Besides India, Saab is aggressively pitching its jets to Canada.
During the earlier MMRCA (Medium Multirole Combat Aircraft) competition in India, the IAF reportedly conducted extensive flight trials and assessments of the Gripen NG, the predecessor to the Gripen E. However, the program was later abandoned, and the IAF purchased 36 Rafales in a government-to-government agreement.
For now, Rafales are the favourites to win the MRFA contract, while India also mulls acquiring Su-57 jets as a stopgap until the indigenous AMCA arrives.
- Contact the author at sakshi.tiwari13 (at) outlook.com
- Follow EurAsian Times on Google News
