Two F-35s bank after receiving fuel over the Midwest on Sept. 19, 2019. Photo: Master Sgt. Ben Mota/US Air Force and published by Defensenews.com

 

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

 

THAILAND’S PLANNED PROCUREMENT of the first couple of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters might probably not be delivered until 2034, an air force source said over the weekend.

 

The air force’s initial procurement of two F-35A fifth-generation, stealth fighters has been earlier planned for delivery in 2032 but it might be further delayed for specific reasons until 2034, said the source who only spoke on condition that he not be named.

 

The first couple of F-35A state-of-the-art, multirole stealth fighters has been earlier estimated to cost a combined price of 7.38 billion baht.

 

Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2022/12/10/procurement-of-first-two-f-35a-fighters-likely-delayed-till-2034/

 

-- © Copyright  THAI NEWSROOM 2022-12-12

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Monthly car subscription with first-class insurance, 24x7 assistance and more in one price - click here to find out more!

2034? They’ll be the equivalent of a couple a lawnmowers by then lol

Let's move this to 2050 when they can purchase those from DIY scrap yard for the same cost of engineless submarine.

England & France have just announced the development of a new generation of jet fighter due on line about the same time. Seems Thailand got in first to buy up the obsolete machines.

Yeah, OK the planes in 2034, but what about the engines ? 

I thought that was a typo when I saw it. They'll be long obsolete by then. Going to cost a mint to maintain.

2 hours ago, RandiRona said:

Let's move this to 2050 when they can purchase those from DIY scrap yard for the same cost of engineless submarine.

From the plane boneyard in the Arizona Desert more likely....

The 34th of never I'm thinking.

Did they get rejected by the US?.....or did the penny finally drop?

So they'll get these BEFORE the submarine.

 

 

By which time Thais may have learned to drive!

3 hours ago, AhFarangJa said:

England & France have just announced the development of a new generation of jet fighter due on line about the same time. Seems Thailand got in first to buy up the obsolete machines.

Honestly, I don't think this is a good idea. NATO needs a common (with network capability) weapon system, and F35 is the best answer to this requirement at this point in time. The French should flog their (our) Rafale to the third world (Thailand) and air shows.

 

3 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Yeah, OK the planes in 2034, but what about the engines ? 

and weapons systems.  These are what the Chinese really want to get their hands on.

2 hours ago, lujanit said:

and weapons systems.  These are what the Chinese really want to get their hands on.

the Chinese will probably get one before thailand.....

10 hours ago, webfact said:

THAILAND’S PLANNED PROCUREMENT of the first couple of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters might probably not be delivered until 2034, an air force source said over the weekend

Or longer...

Due to the close relationship between Thailand and China i am surprised the Americans want to sell any hi-tech weaponry.

And who is Thailand's fearful enemy that require such overkill? Burma, Laos and Cambodia can be paid less than a submarine to back down.

I suspect, but cannot prove, it is because of the number of top brass expected to retire in a year or so and need to buy the Mia Noi another house.

Really no shame.

9 hours ago, AhFarangJa said:

England & France have just announced the development of a new generation of jet fighter due on line about the same time. Seems Thailand got in first to buy up the obsolete machines.

Reports are that the US already has the successor to the F-35 flying and breaking all sorts of (good) records.

9 hours ago, AhFarangJa said:

England & France have just announced the development of a new generation of jet fighter due on line about the same time. Seems Thailand got in first to buy up the obsolete machines.

It's actually a joint project UK, Italy and Japan.

 

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-image-of-new-british-fighter-jet/

1 hour ago, Stocky said:

It's actually a joint project UK, Italy and Japan.

 

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-image-of-new-british-fighter-jet/

Thanks for the correction, it was early when I wrote the post......and it has been a day since I read it............I live in a very small bowl nowadays.........

I expect when the dust settles Thailand is not going to get new F-35's...as in the latest block/model....that is, fresh off the factory floor, no flight hours, etc.  But instead end-up getting one of first blocks/models (i.e., already flying) which will be a U.S. F-35 with many flight hours which will undergo a complete depot overhaul (including engine) and then be sold to Thailand dirt cheap (i.e., like buying a 10-15 year old car that has been completed overhauled but just don't have all the latest whiz-bang options.   

 

They (the Thais) have already said they won't be buying the weapons systems so what's the point?

 

Rhetorical question we all know why they want to buy these.