Thai Air Force to take delivery of 3 Gripen jets today
Three Gripen fighter jets will be delivered to Thailand later today, two days later than scheduled, after one of them was struck by lighting while flying over India.
The accident caused minor damage to an electronic system, Air Force spokesman AVM Monthon Satchukorn said Wednesday.
He dismissed a previous report that the jet was severely damaged and had to make an emergency landing in India.
The three jets landed at an Indian airport because they had to refuel. Technicians also took the opportunity to check the lighteninghit jet and change some parts.
Monthon said the delivery of three jets, which is the last batch of the total of 12 Gripen jets the Air Force has purchased from Sweden and previously slated for delivery on Tuesday, was the responsibility of Sweden.
Sweden would therefore fix the jet before giving it to the Thai air force, he explained adding that, once the jets arrive at Wing 7 in Surat Thani, the mechanics would check them again before the air force would use them.
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