The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has laid out its procurement plans, which range from trainers and light attack aircraft to space capabilities, in its newly released White Paper. The document outlined the priorities and budget for all of its future programs from now until Fiscal Year 2030.
For Fiscal Year 2020, the immediate plan is the procurement of 12 trainer aircraft to replace the Pilatus PC-9, which is earmarked for decommissioning by 2023. The project is worth around THB5.2 billion ($170 million), which will include simulators and technology transfer. At the RTAF symposium, the RTAF chief was briefed by delegates from Pilatus and Beechcraft on the PC-21 and T-6, respectively.
The RTAF will also add two more lead-in fighter trainer aircraft to complement the 12 KAI T-50THs, to fulfill the operational capability requirements of 401 Squadron. Although not specifying the aircraft type, it is likely the RTAF will still turn to the Golden Eagle again to complete the fleet. It is also seeking four more Diamond DA-42s to supplement multi-engine transport aircraft training.
Airborne 3D mapping capabilities for RTAF UAVs and aircraft is sought to enable the air force to generate digital maps for simulation, intelligence, and humanitarian purposes. Although the document mentions Lidar capabilities, Israel’s Rafael has offered the RecceLite and Litening pods with a synthetic aperture radar mapping function.
In FY2021 the focus will be on the upgrade of the Saab 340 Erieye AEW with command and control capabilities. The THB4.5 billion ($140 million) project will also include the installation of tactical datalinks across the RTAF. The utility transport version of the Saab 340 will be decommissioned by 2027. Thai Gripen C/Ds will also finally be upgraded with the current MS20 mission system.
The near-obsolete Aero L-39ZA/ART Albatros is slated for retirement by 2022, and a light attack aircraft project will commence in two phases for 12 aircraft, running through 2024. Phase 1 will cost approximately THB4.5 billion. A three-phase project to replace the 12 C-130H Hercules will begin in FY2022. The new aircraft are also to be fitted with datalinks, and each phase will cover four aircraft.
The first batch of F-16A/Bs will be retired from 2023. These aircraft from 102 Squadron are not part of the mid-life upgrade program and will be replaced under the Fighter Aircraft Replacement Project for 12 aircraft. A second batch, also of 12 fighters, will not be acquired until 2028.
The RTAF will also get one more Gripen to replace the aircraft lost in an accident in 2017. The Bell 412/SP/EPs are due for replacement in 2023 with six new search-and-rescue helicopters, and an indigenous unmanned combat aerial vehicle is to be developed.
Finally, in 2023 the RTAF will acquire an enhanced air defense capability with modern air defense radars and surface-to-air missiles.