June
25, 2011. (Photo by Surapol Promsaka Na Sakolnakorn)
A Swedish non-governmental organisation has
filed a complaint
with police there seeking an investigation of the allegedly
corrupt sale of Gripen fighter jets to Thailand.
The Swedish Peace and
Arbitration Society lodged its complaint
on Oct 13,
asking the police to look into the practices of
the Swedish Defence Materiel
Administration (FMV) following
publication of a critical article in Swedish in
Black Spot Project.
The Sept 30 story raised questions over
scholarships for Thai
military officers included in an agreement between FMV
and Thailand for the purchase Gripen JAS 39 jets, alleging
that the stipends were
tantamount to bribery.
FMV and the Royal Thai Air Force signed the
first contract
with for six Saab-manufactured jets in 2008 and second
contract
in 2010 for an additional six planes.
The deal also included training
scholarships for 37 Thai officers.
FMV,
a civilian agency under the Swedish Defence Ministry,
was Thailand's contract
partner.
SPAS president Anna Ek said in a statement
that the free-education
scheme could be considered a bribe and urged
investigators to
shed light on the issue.
She said in an email to the Bangkok Post
that a copy of the
police complaint also was sent to the Swedish Prosecution
Authority.
"The reason why we filed a police report
is that they investigate
the issue and then hand over the case to corresponding
legal
authorities when done,'' said Ms Ek.
The article, which spurred the NGO to act,
alleged that the
Swedish firm did not disclose the scholarship deals to the
public.
The SPAS president said it was revealed by whistleblowers.
"It is clear to us that this case must be
investigated by the
legal authorities. Should the investigation find evidence
of
corruption, the responsible persons have to face the
corresponding legal
charges,'' said Ms Ek.
SPAS
is a peace-advocacy organisation set up in 1883.
Its website says it is the
largest peace organisation in the country.
FMV
did not respond to queries sent via email by the Bangkok Post.
The total price tag for the 12 multi-role
Gripen fighters was
34.4 billion baht. The budget was approved by the
government in 2007.
The procurement deal also covered training
programmes for
Thai pilots and spare-parts packages.
The Gripens replaced long-used F5 jets and
now are one of
the main combat aircraft used by the air force, in addition
to
F16 fighters.
The first batch of six fighters was
delivered to Thailand
in 2011 and the second arrived in 2013.
All were deployed
at Wing 7 in Surat Thani province.
The project came under fire in 2007 shortly
after the
budget was approved with critics alleging the price had
been
inflated. The air force denied the charges, saying
the deal was fairly priced
after thorough study.
News,Security,Bangkok Post,16 October 2015.
In my viewpoint, I feel it is very strange this deal was
approved by the government bugget in 2007,it about
8 years ago,and why the Swedish NGO just raise this
case.
I believe that the air force deal was ordinary fairly case.
Sincerely Yours.
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