PUBLISHED : 1 Mar 2024 at 04:00
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) yesterday unveiled a new white paper containing analyses of possible threats from now until 2037 and airspace security preparations.
The plan was announced during the RTAF symposium 2024, dubbed the “Roadmap to Unbeatable Air Force”, at the National Aviation Museum in Don Muang, which was chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
The white paper includes a plan to procure a new squadron of fighter jets in the next fiscal year, starting Oct 1, as well as introduce several all-domain development projects.
The RTAF aims to decommission 102 Squadron’s old F-16s at Wing 1 and replace them with 12 new fighter jets.
The initial phase requires 19 billion baht in the upcoming 2025 fiscal year to purchase the first four aircraft, according to the white paper.
A funding request will be submitted to the cabinet for consideration, it said.
Air force chief ACM Panpakdee Patanakul previously confirmed the air force intends to procure new fighter jets despite the US’ refusal to supply the Thai air force with F-35 jets.
His affirmation prompted speculation that the Swedish-made Gripen E-series fighters would likely be chosen over the US’s F-16 Block 70 aircraft, said a source familiar with the matter.
Under the government’s offset policy, countries that supply new military hardware to Thailand must reciprocate by offering equal economic evaluations in bilateral trade.
The air force stated in the white paper that it also needs to procure an air defence system, initiate R&D on laser-guided weapons and purchase new unmanned aerial vehicles.
Mr Srettha responded by applauding the air force’s ambition to develop while maintaining national defence.
The air force had demonstrated a sound understanding of modern armed forces development, which is as important, he said after hearing a presentation on the RTAF’s white paper.