Thailand’s Queen Suthida Begins Gripen Fighter Jet Training, Eyes Historic Solo Flight
Queen Suthida of Thailand has begun an advanced flight-training programme on the Royal Thai Air Force’s Saab Gripen fighter jet, in a development that could see her make aviation history.
The 48-year-old Queen began the programme on August 20, 2026, at Wing 7 in Surat Thani, the main base for Thailand’s Gripen fleet. The training is scheduled to continue until September 4 and follows the Royal Thai Air Force’s standard training procedures, under the supervision of flight instructors and aviation specialists.
The programme is expected to progress towards a solo flight. If Queen Suthida successfully completes the required training and flies the aircraft alone, she could become the first reigning queen in the world to pilot a fighter aircraft, according to reports.
Her move into the Gripen cockpit comes after years of aviation training and experience. Before beginning the fighter programme, she trained on the L-39 advanced jet trainer at the Royal Thai Air Force Flying Training School in Kamphaeng Saen and completed several simulator sessions, including training at Don Mueang. She has also made private visits to Wing 7 to study the Gripen’s systems and interact with operational pilots.
Queen Suthida is no stranger to aviation. She has undertaken both military and civilian flight training and holds commercial aviation qualifications, including a Boeing 737 type rating and an Airline Transport Pilot Licence. She has also served as a co-pilot on royal Boeing 737 aircraft.
Thailand has operated the Gripen 39 C/D at Wing 7 for more than a decade, with the aircraft forming an important part of the Royal Thai Air Force’s combat capability.
For Queen Suthida, the current programme represents another major step in an already unusual aviation journey. The possibility of reaching the solo-flight stage has attracted international attention, with aviation observers watching to see whether she will ultimately achieve the historic milestone.
If successful, Queen Suthida’s Gripen solo flight would mark a rare moment in both royal and military aviation history.
Thailand’s Queen Suthida Begins Gripen Fighter Jet Training, Eyes Historic Solo Flight