The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has asked its United States counterpart to send experts to provide knowhow on how to operate fighter jets pending US Congressional approval of the sale of F-35As, states RTAF commander ACM Napadej Dhupatemiya.
The US air force has guaranteed to send experts by the end of this year, this individual said after presiding over a ceremony to provide certificates to 33 RTAF personnel whom completed the RTAF’s pilot training course.
ACM Napadej said some of these pilots are expected to be chosen to fly the F-35A jets in the future.
He furthermore thanked the House -panel vetting the 2023 budget bill designed for accepting the air force’s appeal and rebuilding the requested funds needed to proceed using the acquisition.
It is now up to the US Congress to decide regardless of whether to approve the sale of the jets, ACM Napadej said, adding that right after he retires as the RTAF commander on Sept 30, he or she expects his successor to carry on with the F-35A procurement programme.
One of the requirements for choosing his successor is that the next RTAF chief must be able to carry on with any function that remains unfinished, ACM Napadej mentioned.
Upon Wednesday, the House committee approved 369 million baht out of 738 million baht wanted by the RTAF because of its planned purchase associated with two F-35A jet fighter jets from the US.
Earlier, the sub-committee on long lasting products, state businesses, ICT equipment plus revolving funds decided to exclude the air force’s request of 738 million baht in the 2023 spending program.
The panel deemed it to be an needless in the current climate, particularly as it had however to be approved by Our elected representatives.
The air force lodged an appeal but agreed to have the budget cut by 50%.
The House panel approved an share of 369 million baht for the scheme which would cost about 7. 4 billion baht with funds to be allocated on the next four fiscal years.