The Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Punpakdee Pattanakul, will travel to the United States and Sweden with the aim of discussing the details of a potential acquisition of 12 new fighter aircraft to replace the old fleet of F-16s in the Thai arsenal. Additionally, the institution aims for the contract to include technology transfer to involve the local industry in the production of the new aircraft.
Regarding the models that the Thai Air Force intends to acquire, the Swedish proposal includes Gripen E fighters manufactured by Saab, of which Thailand already has 12 units in previous versions acquired under the “Peace Suvarnabhumi” program that began in 2008. From the USA, the proposal includes two possibilities, one for F-16 fighters in their Viper variant (Block 70) and another for F-15 fighters. It is worth noting that originally the model chosen by the force was different, but this was thwarted by the US government’s refusal to export F-35 Lightning II fighter-bombers to the Asian country.
The signing of an agreement in the short term is imperative for the Thai government, as the committee formed to decide on this matter is expected to give its verdict in June. In summary, Thailand has been forced to deploy its current air assets along the border with neighboring Myanmar during the past month, a country embroiled in a civil war whose circumstances had worsened.
Regarding the amount allocated for the acquisition, the budget for the fiscal year 2024-2025 stipulates that the first phase of the acquisition of the new aircraft (4 units) will cost around 517 million dollars, although this is still subject to potential modifications. The aforementioned issue, regarding the intention to involve the local industry in the production process, would be an attempt by ACM Pattanakul to gain enough political support for the matter to move forward given the significant expense for the country.
In that regard, various political actors have already expressed their support. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, who serves as chairman of the parliamentary committee on the armed forces and a legislator of the opposition Move Forward Party, stated that: “This will ensure economic and technological benefits for Thailand, so it is important to have these clauses as compensation.” Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also expressed his support earlier this year after meeting with ACM Pattanakul.
*Images used for illustrative purposes
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