Thai defence minister demands US offset details for F-16 jets

[webfact]

Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang urged the United States to provide comprehensive details on the offset policy related to acquiring F-16 fighter jets by today.

 

The Thai government remains undecided on whether to opt for the Swedish-made Gripen by Saab AB or the US-made F-16 Block 70/72 by Lockheed Martin for its air force. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) aims to purchase four new fighter jets to replace a dozen ageing F-16s slated for decommissioning soon. Previously, sources indicated a preference for the Gripen.

 

Sutin emphasised the need for detailed information about offsets before reaching a decision, specifying that Washington must submit the required data by today.

 

Under the offset policy, the Thai government mandates that the armed forces consider other reciprocal benefits offered by prospective suppliers as a significant factor in procuring new military equipment.

Sutin’s comments followed a meeting at Government House between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Robert Godec, the US ambassador. The discussion focused on joint efforts to combat narcotics.

 

Reports indicated that Lockheed Martin representatives accompanied the US ambassador and the fighter jet procurement plan was discussed in a smaller group setting.

According to a source, the US representatives informed the prime minister that Washington would offer additional benefits to Thailand. Sutin has been invited to visit the US and meet with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in mid-August, reported Bangkok Post.

 

ORIGINAL STORY: Thailand undecided between Swedish Gripen and US F-16 jets

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the government remains undecided on whether to select the Swedish-made Gripen or the US-made F-16 for the Royal Thai Air Force‘s (RTAF) new fighter jet procurement project.

 

Details of the required offset policy from Saab AB and Lockheed Martin, manufacturers of the Gripen E/F and the F-16 Block 70/72 respectively, are still pending, according to the prime minister yesterday.

 

The offset policy is a crucial factor that, along with other reciprocal benefits, will influence the fighter jet procurement decision, PM Srettha stated. The armed forces have been instructed to consider these benefits carefully as part of their evaluation process.

 

“No conclusion has been made at this point as the offset policy details have yet to be submitted.

“However, I will try to get this done as soon as possible while encouraging these two companies to try their very best.”

 

“This isn’t a small amount of money. So, we have to achieve the maximum benefit for the public interest.”

PMThe 62 year old Thai premier did not specify when a decision would be made, citing uncertainty about the urgency of the procurement project.

 

“If we are not ready or there is a lack of information needed to make a decision, we won’t rush it”

Despite asserting that the government does not interfere in the RTAF’s decision-making process, the prime minister confirmed that the final decision must be agreeable to both the RTAF and the government.

 

A committee within the RTAF has indicated a preference for the Gripen, Srettha mentioned. Additionally, he disclosed that he had contacted Robert Godec, the US ambassador to Thailand, on July 15 to expedite the submission of offset policy details related to the F-16 procurement.

 

The Bangkok-born prime minister stressed the importance of conducting a thorough comparison between the Gripen E/F and the F-16 Block 70/72, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Lockheed Martin announced on July 15 that it would continue to provide economic value to Thailand through a strong industrial participation or offset proposal, driven by the Thai government’s assessment of the F-16s.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal 
Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

-- 2024-08-01

 

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[lordgrinz]

Quote

 

Thai defence minister demands US offset details for F-16 jets

 

 

On a power trip there buddy? LOL

[connda]

A US plane that's been around since the 1970s vs a plane rolled out by Sweden in 1996.
Personally if the Thais were smart they'd go for the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker which is a 4th Gen jet created as a counter to these NATO variety.  They are all older designs but like submarines?  What does Thailand really need them for.  Really. 

[brianthainess]

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

The discussion focused on joint efforts to combat narcotics.

Are they going to attack drug runners now with Fighter Jets or invade the Triangle Aka Burma. 

[Will B Good]

 

 

Sounds like the US are not really fussed or actively looking for a way out.

[retarius]

So it's F16s then? These military guys couldn't organise a booze-up in a brewery. "Booze-up" doesn't;t sound quite right somehow.....but you get my meaning./

[brianthainess]

Complete unnecessary waste of tax payers money, as with the subs.......

[connda]

Btw:  Thailand is about to find out how "The Most Advanced 4th Generation Fighter In The World" (F16 Block 70/72) compares against a peer adversary in Ukraine.  $$$Cha-Ching$$$

Hope they don't end up with buyer's remorse. 

 

[connda]

Just now, brianthainess said:

Complete unnecessary waste of tax payers money, as with the subs.......

I do agree.

[mfd101]

45 minutes ago, webfact said:

the Thai government mandates that the armed forces consider other reciprocal benefits offered by prospective suppliers

Mmmm, wonder what's involved in that.

[brianthainess]

1 minute ago, retarius said:

So it's F16s then? These military guys couldn't organise a booze-up in a brewery. "Booze-up" doesn't;t sound quite right somehow.....but you get my meaning./

I think you mean PISS UP in a brewery. Yes piss is an allowed word. 

[mfd101]

3 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

Sounds like the US are not really fussed or actively looking for a way out.

Yes, they would be wise to walk away from it. Security aspects vis-à-vis China impossible to manage.

 

The Gripen is supposed to be pretty good (though for what that's relevant to Thailand?) and probably cheaper than the F16 variant.

[lordgrinz]

They already have F16's and Gripens, so they should stick with what they know, either or would be fine.

[GammaGlobulin]

Would it not be FAR BETTER to just put all this money towards the building of a few Nuclear Warheads and the missiles required to lob the bombs into the territories of potential adversaries?

 

No need to do so much pilot training.

And, no need to waste money on maintenance of planes, either.

 

Far more cost effective solution.

 

Problem solved.

 

 

[sqwakvfr]

Not sure what is really going but the first US offer was financing for the F-16's at 5% interest.  Then the US offered financing at 3.5%.  A "yes" might happend for the F-16 at 0% or just a "gift" from our friends? 

[spidermike007]

If they end up getting these new jets, the best possible use I can think of for them would be to attack the Burmese Army and get rid of them once and for all. It seems like they are on their last knees anyway, as the people have risen up and have made mincemeat out of their positions lately. Thankfully they are failing, their moral bankruptcy is being exposed, and the people are saying absolutely not to these super corrupt creeps. 

 

But instead the Thai banks continue to assist these corrupt generals in raping the Burmese treasury. 

[ignore it]

Aw, he's just angling for a free submarine.

[Srikcir]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

offset policy related to acquiring F-16 fighter jets by today.

 

Whatever the offset I expect the US will want payment in US Dollars, not in baht or another BRIC currency. That would poke PM Thavisin in his dedollarization policy. No Dollars no sale.

[newbee2022]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

This isn’t a small amount of money. So, we have to achieve the maximum benefit for the public interest.”

Oh dear, if you would only mean what you say.....

Skip the wasted money for the army and put it into education and road safety.

That's the maximum benefit for the public👍

[John Drake]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin

 

That would be the US Defense Secretary.

[Irish star]

4 hours ago, connda said:

A US plane that's been around since the 1970s vs a plane rolled out by Sweden in 1996.
Personally if the Thais were smart they'd go for the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker which is a 4th Gen jet created as a counter to these NATO variety.  They are all older designs but like submarines?  What does Thailand really need them for.  Really. 

Why support Russian War Crimes 

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Sutin emphasised the need for detailed information about offsets before reaching a decision, specifying that Washington must submit the required data by today.

Must, wants, demands... 

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Yes, they would be wise to walk away from it. Security aspects vis-à-vis China impossible to manage.

 

The Gripen is supposed to be pretty good (though for what that's relevant to Thailand?) and probably cheaper than the F16 variant.

The aircraft maybe cheaper, but the training needed to convert a pilot from one to the other is costly and takes time

[mfd101]

11 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

The aircraft maybe cheaper, but the training needed to convert a pilot from one to the other is costly and takes time

As pointed out above, RTAF already has (aging, I assume) Gripens & F16s, so either way reconversion will be necessary.

[thesetat2013]

7 hours ago, connda said:

Btw:  Thailand is about to find out how "The Most Advanced 4th Generation Fighter In The World" (F16 Block 70/72) compares against a peer adversary in Ukraine.  $$$Cha-Ching$$$

Hope they don't end up with buyer's remorse. 

 

do you really think the US would even consider selling Thailand this Jet? Nor could Thailand afford to buy the latest model. They are most likely looking to buy something 15 to 20 years old. 

I doubt if the US really cares if they buy it or not. But for them to demand the US sends details by tomorrow is not going to happen

[cncltd1973]

if they are looking for a deal, why not drones? combating drug crimes with an F16 seems like swatting a fly with a hammer

[AustinRacing]

The boys have visited Chatuchak already. Wide tyres, amulet and double sided tape, fake brembo caliper covers (red), darkest tint, sub woofer and mud flaps with Rambo image have been ordered. 

[jayboy]

They will definitely go for Gripen for reasons that I would blush to expound on.

[timendres]

HEADLINE: Lockheed Martin Stock Reacts To News Of Thai Demands

 

[nahkit]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

Sutin emphasised the need for detailed information about offsets before reaching a decision, specifying that Washington must submit the required data by today.

 

Under the offset policy, the Thai government mandates that the armed forces consider other reciprocal benefits offered by prospective suppliers as a significant factor in procuring new military equipment.

Sounds like they should be dealing with the Chinese, they're experts on offering reciprocal benefits when it comes to doing a deal.