PUBLISHED : 17 Jan 2024 at 04:33
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is set to unveil its development plan, which includes a proposal to procure a squadron of 12 fighter jets, at the RTAF’s Symposium 2024 next month.
Commander-in-chief Phanpakdee Pattanakul said the plan will outline the air force’s vision for the future, including the acquisition of new weapons, equipment and maintenance projects.
He said the plan could be adjusted or improved to reflect changing needs, budgetary demands as well as technological trends pertaining to the use of drones in military operations. Symposium 2024 is scheduled to take place on Feb 29.
The proposal includes the purchase of a new fleet of fighter jets to replace the ageing F-16 jets that are due to be decommissioned in 2028, he said, adding the acquisition scheme will be divided into three phrases, with the first beginning in the 2025 fiscal year that starts in October.
A source in the air force said the first phase of the procurement involving four jet fighters, estimated to cost 19 billion baht, has been submitted to the Defence Ministry and will be forwarded to the cabinet.
However, the air force has yet to specify which model of jet fighter is pending consideration by the technical committee, said the source. The proposal only asks the cabinet to approve the scheme and a required budget in principle.
The technical committee is considering both the US F16 block 70/72 and the Swedish-made Gripen, but it may recommend the latter as these have already been deployed at Surat Thani-based Wing 7 for more than 12 years, said the source.
ACM Phanpakdee said the air force has tried to explain its need for the jet fighters and it expects to receive public support for its procurement scheme.
However, it has also been working with the Defence Technology Institute and various universities in developing the country’s defence industry.
Meanwhile, in his keynote speech at the RTAF Tech Talk 2024 seminar held at the RTAF museum, which was attended by various security stakeholders, ACM Phanpakdee stressed the importance of research and development in ensuring sustainable development and reducing reliance on imports of weapons and equipment.
He said the air force has engaged in R&D for decades and much of its work has been put to use and efficiently supports its missions.
He said the RTAF requires collaboration and support from all stakeholders in order to achieve its vision of being an “Unbeatable Air Force”.
The seminar was attended by representatives from the National Research Council of Thailand, DTI and the Defence Science and Technology Department under the Defence Ministry.