The United States has declined to sell its fifth generation F-35 stealth fighter jets to Thailand over issues with training and technical requirements, according to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF).

 

Thailand, which was designated a Major Non-NATO Ally by the United States in 2003, had last year set aside a 13.8 billion baht (US$407.68 million) budget for new jets to replace its aging, mostly U.S.-made F-5 and F-16 fighters.

 

It identified up to eight Lockheed Martin F-35A jets as its target.

 

However, RTAF Spokesperson ACM Prapas Sornchaidee said in a statement that sale of the fifth-generation fighters was subject to conditions which included time constraints, technical requirements and maintenance compatibility and the United States was therefore unable to offer the sale.

 

By Adam Judd

 

Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/05/28/royal-thai-air-force-confirms-usa-denied-sale-of-f-35-jets-to-thailand/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-05-29

 

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3 hours ago, webfact said:

RTAF Spokesperson ACM Prapas Sornchaidee said in a statement that sale of the fifth-generation fighters was subject to conditions which included time constraints, technical requirements and maintenance compatibility

And the RTAF was plainly unable to research any conditions and infrastructure issues necessary for the purchase of these jets prior to their highly publicized buying attempt... 

Off to China it is then, lol. Good decision by US. They crashed so many Huey's here, can you imagine them trying to operate F-35's. And China is so hooked into Thailand now, no way they were going to give them F-35's.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

However, RTAF Spokesperson ACM Prapas Sornchaidee said in a statement that sale of the fifth-generation fighters was subject to conditions which included time constraints, technical requirements and maintenance compatibility

The dream is over... 

Well, they need them for Ukraine soon.

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What happened to doing anything to save face. Then can buy RC jet fighter toys  online. There you go people, we have F35. 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

maintenance compatibility

The local motorcycle repair shops would have managed. 

Maybe the Americans, knowing about the two subs with the noisy, inferior Chinese engines and the rusting hulk of an aircraft carrier, are starting to worry about the might of Thai armed forces?