Thailand signs up for 12 new Beechcraft T-6C Texan II trainer aircraft

 

The T-6C Texan II, this example is the company demonstrator unit. Photo c/o Alan Wilson


American aviation company Textron Aviation Defense has announced that it has secured a deal worth US$162 million to supply 12 Beechcraft T-6C Texan II turboprop trainers for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). 


The deal includes an Integrated Training System the covers a mission planning and debrief system, ground-based training system for the pilots and maintenance teams, ground support equipment spare parts, and other essentials.



The Thailand-specified aircraft are to be called T-6TH, and may include certain features that may be different to other T-6 variants. 

The aircraft are expected to be delivered to the RTAF starting late 2022, with the first 2 aircraft built in the US and to be flown to Thailand, while the other 10 units will arrive in crates and will be assembled and tested locally.

Training of RTAF air and ground crew will start in 2022.

The aircraft are expected to replace the Pilatus PC-9 in RTAF service, as part of the RTAF's 10-year Purchase and Development Plan. The same plan also calls for a replacement for the RTAF's fleet of Aero L-39ZA/ART Albatross light attack aircraft, with the Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine being eyed due to its commonality with the T-6TH trainer aircraft fleet.

This order confirms Thailand as the 11th export customer of the aircraft, and the first in Southeast Asia. Vietnam was also reported to be interested in the T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft to replace older models.

[1] AIN Online
[2] Scramble Magazine



Thailand signs up for 12 new Beechcraft T-6C Texan II trainer aircraft Thailand signs up for 12 new Beechcraft T-6C Texan II trainer aircraft Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on September 29, 2020 Rating: 5

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