The Royal Thai Surroundings Force (RTAF) will have to tighten its belt and maximise the utilisation of its current resources, assistant air force chief ACM Alongkorn Vannarot stated on Monday.
Speaking at an event to mention progress in the RTAF’s transport aircraft enhancements, ACM Alongkorn — who is due to take the helm at the RTAF on Friday — said the proceed is meant to improve the environment force’s financial situation.
For instance, because the RTAF has effectively upgraded several of the C-130 aircraft, hence extending their operational life by ten years, the air force will certainly reconsider if it has to acquire newer transportation aircraft.
Starting in Oct last year, Thai Modern aviation Industries (TAI) Company began upgrading the air force’s C-130 fleet by replacing old components with more modern ones, he stated.
So far, eight aircraft have already been fitted with brand new multi-function displays and an updated traffic collision avoidance program, as well as automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast systems.
The wings of these aircraft had been also strengthened along with new upper and lower rainbow fittings, he mentioned, noting that the motors had undergone substantial checks and repairs in previous servicing work.
These upgrades, along with the additional personnel teaching required to ensure the air force is able to preserve these aircraft, price 500 million baht, according to an informed supply.
Within the next phase of enhancements, scheduled to be performed during the next financial year starting upon Oct 1, four more C-130s is going to be upgraded, said ACM Alongkorn.
ACM Alongkorn denied claims that the effectiveness push is meant in order to facilitate the prepared procurement of F-35 fighter jets in the United States, saying the particular F-35s will be obtained using a different spending budget.
The environment force is known to become attempting to procure 4 F-35 fighter aircraft under a 13. 8-billion-baht procurement plan that was approved by the cabinet on Jan 11.