CHRISTCHURCH, Latest Zealand — The Royal Thai Air Force has laid out its future aspirations in a document released Feb. 29, with counter-drone systems, latest fighter jets and medium-range air defense systems amongst essentially the most pressing concerns.
The 74-page whitepaper, which the service unveiled during its annual symposium this week and which builds on an analogous document published 4 years ago, details planned procurements out to 2037.
“The Air Force is aware of [the importance of] long-term development planning and spending of the national budget to realize maximum value,” said the service’s commander, Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul.
Indeed, a part of the whitepaper’s raison d’être is to stake claims for long-term funding as its aircraft inventories age. As an illustration, the 2020 version stated the fighter fleet had a median age of 26 years, a figure that continues to extend.
But the federal government’s procurement process is disjointed, in response to Greg Raymond, an authority in Asia-Pacific affairs on the Australian National University. He cited aspects like political instability, inadequate strategic planning, annual relatively than multiyear budgeting measures, and weak civil oversight that permits each armed service to makes its own decisions.
In the most recent whitepaper, the Air Force gives priority to a medium-range air defense system possessing a minimum 30-nautical-mile range from fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2028. Afterward, from FY33 to FY37, the service plans to perform a second phase for a medium- or long-range air defense system.
From FY28 to FY32, the force plans to purchase a short-range air defense system boasting gun-, missile and laser-based weapons. Credence is given to counter-drone systems, too, and a nine-year project to acquire these is to begin in 2025.
The service can also be eyeing 12-14 latest fighters to interchange the F-16 jets of 102 Squadron based at Korat. The procurement is scheduled to happen from FY25 to FY34, two years later than originally planned. The squadron’s F-16s from the late Eighties are to retire by 2028.
Two contenders have emerged for the aircraft requirement: Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70/72 and Saab’s Gripen.
“We’re confident the F-16 Block 70/72 will complement the RTAF’s existing F-16 fleet and deliver the advanced twenty first century security capabilities and performance needed to handle Thailand’s most pressing defense requirements,” a Lockheed spokesperson told Defense News.
Thailand ordered its first Gripen C/D fighters in 2008. Following a January 2021 contract, the aircraft were upgraded to what the manufacturer calls the MS20 configuration.
Robert Björklund, who markets the Gripen to Thailand for Saab, told Defense News the prevailing fleet is integrated into the Saab-supplied Link T data system and that the aircraft provides its user with “a really wide selection of weapon options, including its highly effective RBS15 anti-ship missile.”
A second fighter alternative project for 12-14 aircraft is slated for FY31 to FY35 to interchange F-5E/F jets of 211 Squadron at Ubon which are to retire around the tip of the last decade. An analogous variety of fighters are needed to interchange F-16A/Bs of 403 Squadron at Takhli from FY37 to FY46.
Thailand tries to take care of relations with several competing nations, including the USA, China, Russia and India, the whitepaper noted. Thailand previously purchase materiel from China, similar to armored vehicles, air defense systems and a submarine.
Asked whether the Royal Thai Air Force would consider buying a Chinese fighter just like the J-10CE, Raymond said the service values its relationship with the U.S. and likeminded allies an excessive amount of to accomplish that. He noted that Thai-U.S. relations have “largely stabilized,” despite the latter denying the previous’s request to purchase F-35A jets last 12 months.
“They wouldn’t need to see themselves placed on the outer [circle] by way of not getting invitations to things like [exercise] Pitch Black in Australia. I are inclined to think they’d be perhaps more careful about getting Chinese aircraft than the Thai Navy was about getting a submarine,” he said.
The whitepaper also detailed an effort starting this 12 months to refurbish C-130H Hercules transport aircraft. The 2020 version really useful the service buy 12 replacements, but that concept was dropped.
As for pilot training, last 12 months’s delivery of 12 T-6TH trainers allowed the Air Force to retire its Pilatus PC-9 fleet last month. Latest Zealand-built CT-4E trainers are to retire in 2031, so basic trainers shall be needed from FY33. Latest lead-in fighter trainers are also sought from FY25, with Thailand already operating the South Korean T-50TH on this role.
The brand new whitepaper also emphasized unmanned technologies. One effort underway is the Thai-developed M Solar X solar-powered drone. Loitering munitions are also schedule for purchase by 2026, as are medium combat drones from FY26 to FY29 and high-altitude pseudo-satellites from FY24 to FY35.
The Air Force also mentioned procurement programs for micro- and nano-drone swarms from FY26, and a research and development effort for weaponized tactical drones from FY29.
And two Saab 340B Erieye airborne early warning aircraft are to receive enhanced command-and-control capabilities, with their dorsal-mounted radars to get replaced. This may happen from FY26 to FY29.
The federal government’s FY24 defense budget bill calls for a 198 billion baht (U.S. $5.5 billion) fund, of which $1 billion is for the Air Force. The service has already applied for an allocation of roughly $530 million for a primary batch of 4 fighters.
Gordon Arthur is an Asia correspondent for Defense News. After a 20-year stint working in Hong Kong, he now resides in Latest Zealand. He has attended military exercises and defense exhibitions in about 20 countries across the Asia-Pacific region.