Military RTAF to Commission 8 AT-6 Light Attack Aircraft

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is set to officially induct eight AT-6 light attack aircraft into service on 7 August 2025. The commissioning ceremony will take place at Wing 41 Air Base in Chiang Mai, where the aircraft will be based.

 

The AT-6TH aircraft, manufactured by Textron Aviation Defense LLC of the United States, are part of a five-year procurement project (2021–2025) valued at 4.6 billion baht. The package includes spare parts, training systems and supporting equipment. These aircraft are designed for multiple roles, including air-to-ground attack and border surveillance operations.

 

The RTAF initially received two AT-6 aircraft, designated 41101 and 41102, on 16 July 2024. Since then, deliveries have continued until all eight have been received. The AT-6TH is now the eighth type of attack aircraft to be inducted into the RTAF’s fleet.

 

The aircraft are equipped to perform a variety of missions, including:

 

• Close air support (CAS)

• Forward air control (airborne)

• Armed reconnaissance

• Air strikes

• Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)

• Combat search and rescue (CSAR)

• Disaster imagery and assessment

• Aerial wildfire control support

 

Beyond combat roles, the aircraft are also intended to enhance inter-agency coordination in national defence and disaster response.

 

This procurement underscores Thailand’s ongoing efforts to modernise its air capabilities while reinforcing its strategic presence in border regions.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-08-03

 

 

 

[Jone500]

It is suspected that it might be used to monitor Cambodian military activities as well as to observe drone swarms.