US declines Thai F-35 bid, offers F-16 and F-15 jets instead

[webfact]

Photo Courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

by Mitch Connor

 

The United States Department of Defense has informally declined Thailand’s request to buy F-35 fighter jets, according to a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) source. Instead, the US has offered F-16 Block 70 and F-15 E Strike Eagle fighter jets as alternatives.

 

The Pentagon’s decision was announced by Robert F Gordec, the US ambassador to Thailand, during a meeting with ACM Alongkorn Wannarot, the air force commander-in-chief, at the RTAF headquarters in Don Mueang two weeks ago. The ambassador cited the US Department of State’s opinion that the RTAF may not yet have the necessary infrastructure facilities for the F-35s, including airbase security, airfields, maintenance, pilots, and other personnel.

 

Gordec explained that it would require a significant amount of time and budget for the RTAF to be fully prepared for the F-35s. However, the US did not completely reject Thailand’s request and would reconsider it when the RTAF is ready, likely within the next five to ten years, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/us-declines-thai-f-35-bid-offers-f-16-and-f-15-jets-instead

 

-- © Copyright Thaiger 2023-05-23

 

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[KhunLA]

"US Department of State’s opinion that the RTAF may not yet have the necessary infrastructure facilities for the F-35s, including airbase security"

 

Guess that's the PC way of saying, too friendly to RU & CH.

 

Good thing for TH, as an expensive POS they don't need to waste money on.

[Danderman123]

F-16 Block 70 is more than what Thailand requires.

 

Hopefully, Thailand will not respond by buying Chinese garbage.

[MrMojoRisin]

Give these jets to the Thai military and the Chinese would have the blueprints the next day.

It is a win-win decision though as the F-35 program is an economic black hole - Thailand has wasted enough money on military spending without adding this lunacy to the mix.

[ThailandRyan]

Shock and awe.  Feel sorry for the defense minister as his dreams of submarines and now hi end planes evaporate....

[richard_smith237]

51 minutes ago, MrMojoRisin said:

Give these jets to the Thai military and the Chinese would have the blueprints the next day.

It is a win-win decision though as the F-35 program is an economic black hole - Thailand has wasted enough money on military spending without adding this lunacy to the mix.

Absolutely agree... 

 

The additional cost of training pilots, the difference in cost of maintaining and running these Fifth Gen aircraft compared to the Fourth Gen F-16 is astronomical..... 

 

The air-craft would eventually be grounded...  a white elephant.

 

F-16’s and / or F-18 make far more sense in providing regional air-presence. 

 

 

 

 

[Will B Good]

Aren't the Indians sacking off their MIG's (they keep crashing?)......could be a deal done there......

[sammieuk1]

Dear Xi we failed but we still don't know why ????

[spidermike007]

We knew this would happen. Why on earth would the US risk letting the Thai armed forces assist China and the super heinous CCP gain new technology? Neither the Thai military nor their Master Xi, can be trusted, on any level.

[fdimike]

RTAF already has 1 squadron of Swedish 4th Gen Gripen aircraft which are more advanced than the current F-16s in their inventory and less expensive to buy/maintain.  On top of it all what/where is the threat to Thailand.  None of surrounding countries pose any sort of threat to Thailand.  The RTAF has a terrible record of buying military hardware without sufficient spare parts to maintain the equipment and turns to cannibalization to keep their planes flying.  Historically, they bought an aircraft carrier with a squadron of VTOL/STOL Harriers which have all been decommissioned due to a lack of maintenance/spare parts.  The carrier itself is totally useless as they have no aircraft to use on it and it's very expensive to maintain.   The RTAF has contracted to upgrade their remaining Alpha jets in their inventory.  I was under the impression they were planning to purchase another squadron of Gripens which would certainly make sense.

Edited May 23, 2023 by fdimike

[hotchilli]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

Gordec explained that it would require a significant amount of time and budget for the RTAF to be fully prepared for the F-35s. However, the US did not completely reject Thailand’s request and would reconsider it when the RTAF is ready, likely within the next five to ten years,

Having China as a bid brother doesn't help either.

[Srikcir]

F-15's or F-16's for Thailand when US denies aircraft to Ukraine engaged in a war with Russia (US is allowing Allies with both aircraft to train Ukrainian pilots with possible transfer)

Thailand at peace with its neighbors should consider it lucky to be offered the two aircraft types.

Edited May 23, 2023 by Srikcir

[steven100]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

The ambassador cited the US Department of State’s opinion that the RTAF may not yet have the necessary infrastructure facilities for the F-35s, including airbase security, airfields, maintenance, pilots, and other personnel

oh '    and we know your in bed with China so that wouldn't work too well with our national security protocols.

[Dcheech]

The US waited until AFTER the elections before releasing the news. Spikes the old regimes attempts to use the F-35 as a 'stalking horse'. Maybe they should give Xi a call, see where to go from here.  ???? 

[sikishrory]

I've always thought Satthahips military airport was quite secure WHEN I WALK THROUGH IT

[steven100]

15 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Shock and awe.  Feel sorry for the defense minister as his dreams of submarines and now hi end planes evaporate....

he's still looking to buy some  .... 

 

[quake]

Good news for once.  

 

 

[rwill]

They can get 4 or 5 F16's for the cost of one F35.

 

Of course here, after 'special' morkups it will probably be 2 for 1.

[malibukid]

seems like the DOD knows what a lot of know. sorry Charlie. give them the old birds and a few diesel subs.

Edited May 24, 2023 by malibukid

[AustinRacing]

Somehow I enjoy hearing big-noting Thai official losing face. The message from US means “listen you idiots, did you really think it through before making the request? Do you not know that a fighter jet comes with a lot of other things that you haven’t considered? Ask a fifth grader.”

[AustinRacing]

18 hours ago, MrMojoRisin said:

Give these jets to the Thai military and the Chinese would have the blueprints the next day.

It is a win-win decision though as the F-35 program is an economic black hole - Thailand has wasted enough money on military spending without adding this lunacy to the mix.

Are you saying that the Chinese don’t have the blueprints already? 

[mikeymike100]

As many members, me included, said at the time it was announced some time ago that the US would never allow Thailand to purchase F35's, mainly for security reasons.

The US don't want China getting their hands on its 'secrets', which would have surely happened?

[ignore it]

The only way the Thai Airforce will get F-35s is if they to go to war with China.

[billd766]

On 5/23/2023 at 2:58 PM, richard_smith237 said:

Absolutely agree... 

 

The additional cost of training pilots, the difference in cost of maintaining and running these Fifth Gen aircraft compared to the Fourth Gen F-16 is astronomical..... 

 

The air-craft would eventually be grounded...  a white elephant.

 

F-16’s and / or F-18 make far more sense in providing regional air-presence. 

 

 

 

 

Against which external enemy would be of more use?

 

The last time Myanmar aircraft flew over Thailand, all the RTAF aircraft were on the ground hundreds of km away.

[realfunster]

On 5/23/2023 at 1:24 PM, webfact said:

The ambassador cited the US Department of State’s opinion that the RTAF may not yet have the necessary infrastructure facilities for the F-35s, including airbase security, airfields, maintenance, pilots, and other personnel.

An amazingly Thai-like explanation from the ambassador ????

 

[Captor]

7 hours ago, ignore it said:

The only way the Thai Airforce will get F-35s is if they to go to war with China.

Or when they (F-35) are outdated.

[Gweiloman]

12 hours ago, fdimike said:

RTAF already has 1 squadron of Swedish 4th Gen Gripen aircraft which are more advanced than the current F-16s in their inventory and less expensive to buy/maintain.  On top of it all what/where is the threat to Thailand.  None of surrounding countries pose any sort of threat to Thailand.  The RTAF has a terrible record of buying military hardware without sufficient spare parts to maintain the equipment and turns to cannibalization to keep their planes flying.  Historically, they bought an aircraft carrier with a squadron of VTOL/STOL Harriers which have all been decommissioned due to a lack of maintenance/spare parts.  The carrier itself is totally useless as they have no aircraft to use on it and it's very expensive to maintain.   The RTAF has contracted to upgrade their remaining Alpha jets in their inventory.  I was under the impression they were planning to purchase another squadron of Gripens which would certainly make sense.

+1. Completely agree. Neither China nor India nor Russia has any intention to invade and I doubt any other ASEAN country would either.

 

This really only leaves imperialistic countries like Japan and some Western ones but all of the global south and of course China will come to Thailands’ rescue.

 

No need to spend money on wasteful military equipment that benefits the western MIC. Instead, invest in education, better infrastructure etc.

[LosLobo]

13 hours ago, fdimike said:

RTAF already has 1 squadron of Swedish 4th Gen Gripen aircraft which are more advanced than the current F-16s in their inventory and less expensive to buy/maintain.  On top of it all what/where is the threat to Thailand.  None of surrounding countries pose any sort of threat to Thailand.  The RTAF has a terrible record of buying military hardware without sufficient spare parts to maintain the equipment and turns to cannibalization to keep their planes flying.  Historically, they bought an aircraft carrier with a squadron of VTOL/STOL Harriers which have all been decommissioned due to a lack of maintenance/spare parts.  The carrier itself is totally useless as they have no aircraft to use on it and it's very expensive to maintain.   The RTAF has contracted to upgrade their remaining Alpha jets in their inventory.  I was under the impression they were planning to purchase another squadron of Gripens which would certainly make sense.

Yes Saab Gripen JAS 39s would also make better sense, as Thailand already has the trained pilots and maintenance personnel, and ground service equipment.

 

Back in 2006, there were preferred tenderers for fast jets, for the F16, Sukhoi SU-30 and Gripen JAS 39.

 

Lockeed Martin would have been preferred, as F16's were already in service but they did not accept the payment terms.

 

Saab did accept them.

 

The terms were payment with frozen chicken!

 

 

Gripen dealing for Thailand’s fighter contract | Defense News: Aviation International News (ainonline.com)

 

[Andycoops]

What a slap in the kisser for the military Muppets.

I bet their not overly happy in peking either as they won't get their grubby little fingers on the F35.

Overall great news for the Thai taxpayer.