Thailand's 48-year-old queen pilots a Gripen solo after intensive training
The Thai queen took off from a southern air base on Thursday, flying a Jas 39C Gripen alone after weeks of simulator work and shared flight time.
On Thursday, the queen departed from a base in southern Thailand as the sole pilot of a Jas 39C Gripen. She completed several weeks of flight-simulator training and logged ten hours alongside another pilot. The 48-year-old queen, a former Thai Airways flight attendant, is now recognized as the country's first female Gripen pilot. Thailand operates Gripen C and D models and is negotiating further purchases with Saab.
Why it matters
It showcases Thailand's expanding role for women in military aviation and underscores ongoing defence procurement with Saab.
In this story
Thai queenGripenJas 39Cflight simulator trainingfirst female pilotdefence procurementSaab deal
