Thailand announces medium to long term aircraft acquisitions and retirements

A Saab JAS-39D Gripen of the RTAF. Photo c/o Flyone404 @ Youtube.

In a new white paper released by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), it outlined plans on new aircraft acquisitions as well as retirement plans for existing aircraft.

The RTAF White Paper 2020 released on 20 February 2020, outlined key programmes to be undertaken in the near to long term, including acquisition of new combat, trainer, transport, VVIP, and unmanned aircraft, and also new helicopters.

The RTAF intends to acquire an additional Saab JAS-39C Gripen fighter aircraft between 2023 to 2025 to replace a unit that was lost in crash in 2017, and return the fleet back to 12 aircraft. The RTAF also plans to acquire a squadron of 12 new multirole fighter aircraft between 2028 to 2033 as part of plan to replace early model Lockheed Martin F-16A/B Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft.

The RTAF also plans to gradually replace the Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules starting 2022 with a new aircraft, which may also cover the replacement of the Basler BT-67 and Saab 340B in the transport fleet.

A new VVIP aircraft is also planned to replace the existing Airbus ACJ319 aircraft, while additional Diamond DA-40 trainer aircraft are planned to replace the PAC CT-4B Airtrainers by 2026, while planning for the acquisition of 24 more trainer aircraft between 2026 to 2029 to replace the PAC CT-4E by 2031, and a more new advanced trainer to replace the Pilatus PC-9.

A new indigenous reconnaissance and combat-capable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is also planned to replace the existing RV Connex RTAF U1, with the development planned between 2023 to 2027. and a new helicopter model to replace the Bell 412.

Also planned is for the acquisition of  a new helicopter model to replace the Bell 412, and the development and launching of a military satellite


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] Shephard Media
[3] Defense World