Thailand commissions new Dominator XP medium altitude long endurance UAVs.

 

One of the Dominator XP UAVs of the RTAF. Photo c/o AAG_TH Thai Defense Page.

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) commissioned its new Dominator XP medium altitude long endurance unmanned aerial system (MALE UAS) which aims to improve the service’s surveillance capabilities.

The commissioning ceremony was held at the RTAF’s Watthana Nakhon Airbase on 01 September 2023, with the 302 Squadron, Wing 4 being the recipient of the new air assets.

The RTAF has confirmed the order for 3 Dominator XP UAVs include command control and support systems under a US$27 million deal signed on August 2018, taking 4 years to deliver the system.

The Dominator XP MALE UAS were manufactured and delivered by Israeli company Aeronautics Defense Systems Ltd., which used the Austrian-made Diamond DA42 Twin Star twin-engine light aircraft as its platform.

These would be the RTAF’s first MALE UAV, and will be joining other UAVs in service which includes smaller Israeli and Thai-built models.

The Dominator XP UAV would share logistical and spares supply chain with the Diamond DA42 Twin Star aircraft which is already in service with the RTAF since 2009 as surveillance and trainer aircraft.

[1] AAG_TH Thai Defense Page