Thailand inducts 12 new Beechcraft T-6TH Texan II trainer aircraft into service
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| All 12 T-6TH Texan II trainer aircraft of the RTAF during induction ceremony. Photo c/o AAG_Th Thai Defense Page. |
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has inducted 12 new Beechcraft T-6TH Texan II trainer aircraft into service as it modernizes its training capabilities.
The ceremony was held at the RTAF’s Flying School Kamphaeng Saen in Nakhon Pathom province on 22 August 2023 and were assigned with the Advanced Training Squadron, Flight Training Division and will be replacing the RTAF’s Pilatus PC-9 trainer aircraft that have been in service since 1991.
The new aircraft, which were ordered under a US$162 million deal signed on October 2020, included an agreement to assemble 10 of the 12 aircraft in Thailand through the Thai Aviation Industries Co. Ltd. The first two units were flown to Thailand from Textron Aviation Defense’s facility in the United States.
In addition to new aircraft, the RTAF also opened a new Flight Simulator Training facility at the RTAF Flying School, which is patterned after the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II, which will be working together with the actual aircraft to increase training efficiency and safety especially for newer pilots.
The RTAF is also scheduled to receive 8 Beechcraft AT-6TH Wolverine armed trainers, which are capable of dropping bombs and rockets for close air support and light attack roles.
Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal
on
August 29, 2023
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