Air force seeks eight F35 fighter jets at a time when Thailand’s defence budget is at a low ebb

[Maybole]

They keeping their Gripens flying. Fat chance with something a complicated as an F35.

[SpaceKadet]

Since when is an F35 a fighter jet? F16 is a fighter jet, SAAB Gripen is a fighter jet, SU-35 or MIG-29 are fighter jets. When you engage an opponent in BVR, like F35 does, it's just a stealth weapons delivery platform.

I can just imagine those powerful enemies that threaten Thailand and want to invade tomorrow....

 

Shouldn't their uncles in the great country of China just give them the J-10's or J-20's?

 

Ming boggles at the way Thai military thinks. Just collect a bunch of hardware that is not compatible and capable to be coordinated in any coherent way. Money in the pocket for a few, me thinks...

[Stargeezr]

Most smaller countries in the world do not need this over priced fighter jet.

  Who ever in the Thai air force is trying to purchase this , should be fired,

as any other fighter jet at half the cost is more appropriate for Thailand.

 

[Thechook]

Are they suitable for the rusting aircraft carrier they have never used.

[Thechook]

15 hours ago, brucegoniners said:

Why in the world does this country need fighter jets? What a joke and a half.

Why does it need an aircraft carrier 

[Nigeone]

1 hour ago, Thechook said:

Why does it need an aircraft carrier 

They have proved they dont. These F35's , if they get them , will end up the same. Not sure they remotely have the capabilities to maintain them never mind fly them     

[daveAustin]

23 hours ago, tandor said:

...so tell me, where is the threat to Thailand's security that requires these aircraft, plus submarines. I thought you would put things on hold for 5 years spending-wise and build your coffers. 

You could say that about many countries. Easy to mock why they’d need more firepower since nobody is likely to invade, but while certainly not sticking up for the prats in power, it is typically about maintaining a certain level of military expenditure.  

Edited January 5, 2022 by daveAustin

[ExpatOilWorker]

14 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

You could say that about many countries. Easy to mock why they’d need more firepower since nobody is likely to invade, but while certainly not sticking up for the prats in power, it is typically about maintaining a certain level of military expenditure.  

For their small population of 4-5 million Denmark and Norway have a lot of firepower. 

 

[Oxx]

46 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

For their small population of 4-5 million Denmark and Norway have a lot of firepower. 

But then I guess they don't want to be the next countries annexed by Russia.  If only Ukraine's military had a bit more oomph.

[club]

Is this to fight Covid? They refuse to spend the money on quality Vaccines and boosters . Who are they fighting that they need fighter jets?

[thaibook]

On 1/5/2022 at 9:16 AM, unblocktheplanet said:

Say what you want about square-head. But he had his priorities right by minimal funding for the military.

 

There are 36 countries in the world with NO military: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-without-a-military.

 

Why should Thailand not be one of them? We have no enemies.

All that land and facilities could easily be repurposed for public benefit.

 

Retire the generals! Bye-bye!

 

you may not have noticed but muslim extremists are waging a terror campaign in the south;  the army is a disciplined force that can be used whenever there is an emergency - have you not noticed that everytime there is a flood, a fire, or need of extra resources it is the army that provides this?  You may have a short memory but there have been numerous skirmishes with Laos, Cambodia and Burma.  And if the army were abolished a new unifrom would have to be found for senior officials.

[Harsh Jones]

On 1/4/2022 at 12:59 PM, sqwakvfr said:

I have read the cost to operate the F-35 per hour can be between $8000 to $10,000.  What is the threat to justify this aircraft.  An upgraded F-16 or F-18 could fulfil any air defense mission. 

It would be just completely insane for Thailand to buy F-35's. Its a problem aircraft on many levels. Everyone knows this

[Harsh Jones]

Thailand could buy su 57's for way less money. And they are way more versatile. Even the state of the art Russian jet which has better all around specs would be cheap compared to the F-35. And Russia would give them cheap financing and perks. Unlike the F-35 which is basically a treaty with the US, the Russians will do a cash and carry deal. Once you have it, you can do what you want with it. If Thailand started swinging a little too hard in the south or started some Duterte style drug policy, the US would stop supporting the F-35's right away. Russia wouldn't care what they did.

 

Edited January 7, 2022 by Harsh Jones

[jacko45k]

On 1/7/2022 at 9:54 AM, Harsh Jones said:

Thailand could buy su 57's for way less money. And they are way more versatile. Even the state of the art Russian jet which has better all around specs would be cheap compared to the F-35. And Russia would give them cheap financing and perks. Unlike the F-35 which is basically a treaty with the US, the Russians will do a cash and carry deal. Once you have it, you can do what you want with it. If Thailand started swinging a little too hard in the south or started some Duterte style drug policy, the US would stop supporting the F-35's right away. Russia wouldn't care what they did.

 

I though the F35 had vertical landing capabilities....so how does the SU 57 better that?

[unblocktheplanet]

On 1/7/2022 at 8:59 AM, thaibook said:

And if the army were abolished a new unifrom would have to be found for senior officials.

Aha! The bottom line...