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"Thailand has an urgent need to replace our ageing F-5 fighters, which will be decommissioned by 2009 and the new fighters will be deployed in Surat Thani to protect the skies over the South, the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea," he said.

Chalit said the aircraft's capability was the primary reason to award the procurement contract as Gripen fighters could match the military might in neighbouring countries.

Second, the aircraft was suitable for coastal defence of the southern shores. Third, the Swedish supplier agreed to a technology transfer by releasing the source code data of the aircraft and weaponry that would enable the Air Force to further develop its aviation capability.

Lastly, the fighters were compatible with existing command and control systems.

The Air Force started to review various fighters in 2003, before picking the Gripens over US-made F-16s and Russian SU-30s.

But Chulalongkorn University's Associated Professor Panitan Wattanayagorn, said the procurement of the Swedish fighters marked a "major departure" form the Airforce's standard practice of reducing the diversification of their hardware. Thailand has traditionally purchase fighters from the United States and suggested the armed forces might be better off with buying more F-16.

Chalit said the time consuming process was the main reason why he ruled out the F-16s and that Gripen fighters were designed to counter Russian jets deployed in the region.

"Aircraft purchase is very complicated, sometimes a supplier cannot sell or refuse the weaponry needed, even if you have the money, and it is not wise to deploy aircraft similar to your neighbours," he said.

Negotiations for F-16s would take at least four years, making it impossible for deployment in time for decommissioned F-5 fighters, he added.

Included in the Gripen deal are free one-year training for pilots, two-year's worth of spare parts, two air-borne early warning aircraft (AWACs) and air-launched missiles.

The Swedish government has also granted scholarships to train Air Force mechanics.

The payments for the first batch of six fighters will be spread over five years and coast Bt19 billion. The first payment of Bt7.3 billion will be made next year and the remainder is to be paid in instalments at Bt1.7 billion per year.

The negotiations for deployment of the second batch of fighters worth Bt15.4 billion will commence after completing the delivery of the first batch.

By Panya Thiewsangwan