House panel cuts ฿7.4 billion for two F-35A combat jets, Thai air force defends plan

[webfact]

 

A House subcommittee scrutinising procurement projects of state agencies decided yesterday (Monday) to cut the 7.4-billion-baht budget for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to procure two US-made F-35A combat jets, on the grounds that the US Congress has not yet approved the sale of the aircraft to Thailand and the acquisition is not urgent.

 

Pheu Thai MP Yutthapong Charassathien, deputy chair of the House subcommittee on durable goods, information technology, state enterprises and revolving funds, said that the RTAF could not provide a clear answer to the panel about whether or when the US Congress would approve the sale of the jets to the RTAF, adding that the decision-making process by the US Congress normally takes up to 20 months.

 

The panel felt that the 7.4 billion baht, already allocated in the 2023 fiscal year for the procurement of the planes, should be cut for the time being and be used for other more urgent projects or to help ease the hardships of people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/house-panel-cuts-7-4-billion-for-two-f-35a-combat-jets-thai-air-force-defends-plan/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-07-26

 

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[DezLez]

Has there been a sudden outbreak of common-sense?

If so I hope it becomes contagious!

Edited July 26, 2022 by DezLez

[John Drake]

14 minutes ago, DezLez said:

Has there been a sudden outbreak of common-sense?

If so I hope it becomes contagious!

No. The committee just wants to order them from China instead.

[ThailandRyan]

53 minutes ago, DezLez said:

Has there been a sudden outbreak of common-sense?

If so I hope it becomes contagious!

Not Common slap just another major slap in Prayuts face as he stared down the recent vote of no confidence hearings.....Ego's are being bruised the country over with election losses and looming protests.....

[CLW]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

House subcommittee on durable goods, information technology, state enterprises and revolving funds

I expect that committee soon to be shutdown and workers moved to inactive posts

[Mr Meeseeks]

23 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Not Common slap just another major slap in Prayuts face as he stared down the recent vote of no confidence hearings.....Ego's are being bruised the country over with election losses and looming protests.....

Nothing as fragile as a Thai male ego.

[sqwakvfr]

What is the logic(I know TIT) of only two F-35's?   Demonstration flights or Air Shows? 

[shackleton]

It's a matter of keeping the military chiefs happy 

Like the fiasco of the Submarines these projects are all pie in the sky 

Who are they going to use these weapons against ????

Better investing on getting jobs for the working population 

[DezLez]

1 hour ago, CLW said:

I expect that committee soon to be shutdown and workers moved to inactive posts

I thought being a member of that committee was counted as being in an inactive post!  

[DPKANKAN]

2 hours ago, DezLez said:

Has there been a sudden outbreak of common-sense?

If so I hope it becomes contagious!

It is probably called a 'pre election' move to make the goverment look as though they are actually doing something. Same as the story about more police being censored and or sacked!!!!????????????????

[John Drake]

11 minutes ago, DezLez said:

I thought being a member of that committee was counted as being in an inactive post!  

Pathetic.

[DezLez]

6 minutes ago, John Drake said:

Pathetic.

What is pathetic;

My post or that you agree that the committee in question is pathetic?

[John Drake]

25 minutes ago, DezLez said:

What is pathetic;

My post or that you agree that the committee in question is pathetic?

You're a little too sensitive about these things. To put you at ease, I was referring to the committee. I don't make personal attacks. Or at least I try to avoid them. 

[DezLez]

4 minutes ago, John Drake said:

I was referring to the committee.

Then why not say so instead of posting such an ambiguous one word response?

We are not mind readers!

[daveAustin]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The panel felt that the 7.4 billion baht, already allocated in the 2023 fiscal year for the procurement of the planes, should be cut for the time being and be used for other more urgent projects

I agree. How about on the setting up of more quality cannabis farms? ????

[Burma Bill]

1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:

What is the logic(I know TIT) of only two F-35's?   Demonstration flights or Air Shows? 

A very interesting question, thank you. Last night on You Tube in a neighboring country, I watched a documentary about aircraft (civil and military) being used as "play things". I'm sure this documentary would have been banned in Thailand. I will not elaborate so please do not ask any questions. It will be very interesting to see the final outcome.

Edited July 26, 2022 by Burma Bill
additional information

[DezLez]

3 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

I agree. How about on the setting up of more quality cannabis farms? ????

Or;

Do you mean;

How about on the setting up of more quality cannabis patient treatment centres?

[ezzra]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

he panel felt that the 7.4 billion baht, already allocated in the 2023 fiscal year for the procurement of the planes, should be cut for the time being and be used for other more urgent projects or to help ease the hardships of people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

I wish the thought that much before dumping 2.3 billion baht on that Chinese sub with no engine...

[Sir Dude]

Trying to buy just two F35s... good luck with that, and it looks like a reverse-engineering order from Beijing. Congress will never approve it.

[DezLez]

Do not forget that the "fighters" the want to buy cannot fight!

THE AIR FORCE’S reported plan to purchase a startup batch of two F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters without weapon systems aboard

Opposition Bloc To Hammer Air Force’s Plan To Purchase Unarmed F-35 Fighters - Thailand News - ASEAN NOW - News, Travel & Forum

 

[Excel]

1 minute ago, DezLez said:

Do not forget that the "fighters" the want to buy cannot fight!

THE AIR FORCE’S reported plan to purchase a startup batch of two F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters without weapon systems aboard

Opposition Bloc To Hammer Air Force’s Plan To Purchase Unarmed F-35 Fighters - Thailand News - ASEAN NOW - News, Travel & Forum

 

And given the number of crashes the Thai air force have had, fixed or rotary  then two toys to play with is not going to last too long before another budget will be asked for..

[brucegoniners]

Oh yes. I've often said what Thailand really needs is fighter jets, lol

 

Try taking care of the people who have been impacted by Covid first why don't you?

[ChrisY1]

"US Congress has not yet approved will not approve the sale of the aircraft to Thailand" ..Thats better..fixed!

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

The panel felt that the 7.4 billion baht, already allocated in the 2023 fiscal year for the procurement of the planes, should be cut for the time being and be used for other more urgent projects or to help ease the hardships of people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some sense at last.

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, brucegoniners said:

Oh yes. I've often said what Thailand really needs is fighter jets, lol

 

Try taking care of the people who have been impacted by Covid first why don't you?

Got to keep the Generals and Commanders in employment.

[Andycoops]

At least the embarrassment of them arriving with no armament has been avoided.

The US will regret selling them to the Thai's, if they give the go-ahead, as they will be immediately swarmed over by the chinese.

[steven100]

15 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

What is the logic(I know TIT) of only two F-35's?   Demonstration flights or Air Shows? 

crowd control and border security