The Royal Thai Force (RTAF) is insisting on the need to acquire new aircraft to replace its aging F-16 fighter jets, which are about to be decommissioned, in order to maintain its combat readiness and to protect the country’s air space, Air Vice Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee, spokesman for the RTAF, said Thursday.

 

The United States rejected Thailand’s request to buy their state-of-the art F-35A stealth fighters. The RTAF was recently informed of the US administration’s rejection by the US ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec, during his recent call on the Air Force commander-in-chief.

 

According to the explanation given by the US administration, it will take at least ten years for the US to approve the sale of the advanced jet fighters to a new customer like Thailand and there are numerous requirements that Thailand must meet before the sale can be approved.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/air-force-still-wants-new-aircraft-to-replace-its-aging-f-16-fighters/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-05-25

 

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You already got your toys, now go back to ur barracks.

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand’s cabinet on Tuesday approved the $258-million purchase of eight T-50 advanced jets from South Korea, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said, the latest defense acquisition by a military government that took power following a 2014 coup.

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-southkorea-defense-idUSKBN19W0R9

Order 30 Piper Cubs.  Should be equal to the actual  task at hand.

Edited May 25, 20233 yr by Rotweiler

Perhaps they should openly court Chinese or Russian alternatives if they really think they need them.

 

The offer for F16s and F15s is already on the table, IF the current government wants to take it up.

 

quote " The Royal Thai Force (RTAF) is insisting on the need to acquire new aircraft to replace its aging F-16 fighter jets, which are about to be decommissioned, in order to maintain its combat readiness and to protect the country’s air space, Air Vice Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee, spokesman for the RTAF, said Thursday."

 

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

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Thai_Air_Force

 

The RTAF could order more Gripens as well as F15s and F16s. The only country with any airforce is Myanmar which has a mix of Chinese and Russian aircraft.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar_Air_Force

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lao_People's_Liberation_Army_Air_Force

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Cambodian_Air_Force

 

In the south is the Malaysian Air Force with a mix of Russian, US and British aircraft.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_equipment_of_the_Royal_Malaysian_Air_Force

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_equipment_of_the_Indonesian_Air_Force

 

This has a mix of Russian, US, British, French and S Korean aircraft.

 

So apart from Myanmar, Thailand has the most powerful air force in the region already. It has to be said however that Thailand has not fought in any air war in decades. They would probably succeed against Las and Cambodia and probably lose against the rest. They might be lucky once against Myanmar, but only because the Myanmar pilots would be laughing so much.

 

I simply went on line as anybody can do to get this information as it is not secret by any means.

51 minutes ago, ukrules said:

Perhaps they should openly court Chinese or Russian alternatives if they really think they need them.

 

It is not that but the lead in time to acquire the aircraft, train the air and ground crews, get the spares and become trained to efficiency, perhaps 3 to 5 years.

Ukraine is after F16s. Though of course they would want them air- and combat-worthy ...

Maybe they can buy some from China..............without engines

This is perfect timing.

Im sure thailand will follow many countries and give them to Ukraine, for free :-)

 

The new government might feel inclined to give the armed forces what they deserve (based on past performance), not what they want. I wouldn't blame them.

US Offers Faster 4.5-Generation F-16 Fighter Jets To Thailand
by TNR Staff

 

A US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies in the US Central Command area of responsibility Nov. 30, 2020. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multirole fighter aircraft that delivers war-winning airpower. Photo: US Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Carnes and published by Alert5.com

 

UPON postponing the sale of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters to Thailand earlier this week US offered the faster 4.5-generation F-16 warplanes in its place, Matichon newspaper said today (May 25).

 

AVM Praphas Sornchaidee, Thai air force spokesman, said US Ambassador Robert F. Godec stated in his talks with Air Force Chief ACM Alongkorn Wannarot that Thailand remains a very close partner of the US in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

Five points were mentioned on postponing the sale of F-35A fifth-generation, stealth fighters as requested in a Price and Availability letter submitted Joint United States Military Advisory Group Thailand (JUSMAGTHAI) as follows:

 

1) The consideration of the sale of the F-35A, a fifth-generation strike fighter, is subject to a number of time constraints that must be overcome before the US considers selling this combat aircraft to any country, thus the US is unable to offer it to the Thai air force at this time.

 

Full story: https://thainewsroom.com/2023/05/25/us-offers-faster-4-5-generation-f-16-fighter-jets-to-thailand/

 

-- © Copyright  THAI NEWSROOM 2023-05-26

 

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Time to dig out the Alpha Jets and pop rivet some more patches on them?

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The Royal Thai Force (RTAF) is insisting on the need to acquire new aircraft to replace its aging F-16 fighter jets, which are about to be decommissioned, in order to maintain its combat readiness and to protect the country’s air space, Air Vice Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee, spokesman for the RTAF, said Thursday.

Chengdu J-20's should do nicely.

Talking of RTAF, did they find what caused the crash of the CT4 with an instructor and student a few weeks back.

Something doesn't sound right there (on landing approach) for the solid and reliable aircraft they are. 

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

to replace its aging F-16 fighter jets, which are about to be decommissioned,

Fly them to Ukraine .

They need them over there .

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Chengdu J-20's should do nicely.

Don't bother going to Russia - they keep getting their jets shot down over Ukraine.

16 hours ago, ukrules said:

Perhaps they should openly court Chinese or Russian alternatives if they really think they need them.

 

I  can imagine that Thailand's closeness to China is what caused the rejection of the F-35, no point in actively helping espionage. 

Off topic post removed

8 hours ago, webfact said:

F-35A fifth-generation, stealth fighters

Better not to get them , they could get lost and they would

never find them .....????

 

regards worgeordie

Those F16 and F15 are still in production and kept current with updates. Many advance air forces around the world fly then including America.  It made no since that Thailand wanted to order only 2 F35. That would have been worthless in combat.  very suspecious and I think America is being very kind and diplomatic in response.

You can sell those old F16s to NATO, as per G7 there is cash and permits and might be a good deal for all. As they budgeted new equipment, there is ample space for some "expenses" between buyer and seller ???? 

1 hour ago, pmarlin said:

Those F16 and F15 are still in production and kept current with updates. Many advance air forces around the world fly then including America.  It made no since that Thailand wanted to order only 2 F35. That would have been worthless in combat.  very suspecious and I think America is being very kind and diplomatic in response.

2 x F35 are a waste of time, effort and money. They cost about $30k to fly for one hour, the ground servicing costs are huge. 

 

There are none and no plans to introduce a 2 seat trainer version .

 

https://www.quora.com/Why-doesnt-the-F-35-have-a-two-seat-trainer-version-for-the-non-STOVL-versions

 

quite "The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is a single-seat aircraft, and there are no plans to produce a two-seat trainer version of the non-STOVL (Short Take Off and Vertical Landing) versions. The reason for this is that the F-35 is designed to be operated by a single pilot, and a two-seat trainer would require significant modifications to the airframe, avionics, and systems. Additionally, the F-35 is intended to be flown by highly trained and experienced pilots, who are able to operate the aircraft effectively without the need for a two-seat trainer."

 

With only 2 x F35 one will always be grounded and the other will be hogged by all the generals to say that they flew an F 35. Pilot and ground crew training will take up to 2 years and the cost of spares for 2 aircraft will most probably break the Thai bank budget,

10 hours ago, webfact said:

postponing the sale of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters to Thailand

Send Thailand plastic construction kits - just 28$ each!!!!

 

The U.S. Air Force Just Admitted The F-35 Stealth Fighter Has Failed

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/02/23/the-us-air-force-just-admitted-the-f-35-stealth-fighter-has-failed/

 

Lockheed F-35’s Tally of Flaws Tops 800 as ‘New Issues’ Surface

• Hardware, software flaws keep surfacing: testing chief

800 soft & hardware faults !

 

Why you want this thing?

20 hours ago, bluejets said:

Talking of RTAF, did they find what caused the crash of the CT4 with an instructor and student a few weeks back.

Something doesn't sound right there (on landing approach) for the solid and reliable aircraft they are. 

AN member living nearby probably saw the CT4.  He posted the day after (I think) the crash.

 

It sounded like engine failure was occurring as it passed overhead his location.

 

So one might speculate as to what might have happened within the CZ and dead stick.

 

One might also wonder if, as the report implied, it actually made the runway.

 

I only read the first report.

 

 

On 5/25/2023 at 1:19 PM, billd766 said:

The offer for F16s and F15s is already on the table, IF the current government wants to take it up.

 

quote " The Royal Thai Force (RTAF) is insisting on the need to acquire new aircraft to replace its aging F-16 fighter jets, which are about to be decommissioned, in order to maintain its combat readiness and to protect the country’s air space, Air Vice Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee, spokesman for the RTAF, said Thursday."

 

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

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Thai_Air_Force

 

The RTAF could order more Gripens as well as F15s and F16s. The only country with any airforce is Myanmar which has a mix of Chinese and Russian aircraft.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myanmar_Air_Force

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lao_People's_Liberation_Army_Air_Force

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Cambodian_Air_Force

 

In the south is the Malaysian Air Force with a mix of Russian, US and British aircraft.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_equipment_of_the_Royal_Malaysian_Air_Force

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_equipment_of_the_Indonesian_Air_Force

 

This has a mix of Russian, US, British, French and S Korean aircraft.

 

So apart from Myanmar, Thailand has the most powerful air force in the region already. It has to be said however that Thailand has not fought in any air war in decades. They would probably succeed against Las and Cambodia and probably lose against the rest. They might be lucky once against Myanmar, but only because the Myanmar pilots would be laughing so much.

 

I simply went on line as anybody can do to get this information as it is not secret by any means.

Singapore has 60 F-16s, 40 F-15s.......and 12 F-35s on the way.

 

I think it probably has the edge on Thailand.

 

I believe I saw a couple of its F-15s during Cobra gold '21.

 

https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/2023-world-air-forces-directory/151088.article

 

 

Edited May 26, 20233 yr by Enoon

7 hours ago, Enoon said:

Singapore has 60 F-16s, 40 F-15s.......and 12 F-35s on the way.

 

I think it probably has the edge on Thailand.

 

I believe I saw a couple of its F-15s during Cobra gold '21.

 

https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/2023-world-air-forces-directory/151088.article

 

 

I didn't bother to show them as for Singapore to attack Thailand they would either have to overfly or bypass Malaysia and would need in flight tanking both ways.

The Russians would probably be happy to sell the RTAF export grade Sukhoi fighters.  Once the US sees the interest then perhaps their F35s will become available.  After all, even in the weapons industry its all about market dynamics.  Make a product unavailable and something else will fill the vacuum. 

On 5/25/2023 at 6:29 PM, ukrules said:

Perhaps they should openly court Chinese or Russian alternatives if they really think they need them.

 

Last time they wanted more corruption money than the Russian were willing to pay.....They were so angered that they said it in an interview.

4 minutes ago, connda said:

The Russians would probably be happy to sell the RTAF export grade Sukhoi fighters.  Once the US sees the interest then perhaps their F35s will become available.  After all, even in the weapons industry its all about market dynamics.  Make a product unavailable and something else will fill the vacuum. 

Turkey tried that, US still did not sell or give Turkey their money back.