Air Force Commander explains budget for purchasing 19.5 billion baht fighter jets to replace old ones

Parliament, Air Force Commander explains budget for purchasing 19.5 billion baht fighter jets to replace old ones, points out that it is in the process of sending 2 models to the government for approval. Air Chief Marshal Panphakdi Pattanakul, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, explained to the Special Committee on the Consideration of the Draft Budget Act for Fiscal Year 2025 that the project to purchase a new squadron of replacement fighter jets, with a budget of 19.5 billion baht, is to replace the F-16s of Squadron 103. The Royal Thai Air Force currently has five main fighter squadrons, with three squadrons decommissioned from 2028-2032: F-16s at Squadron 21 and Squadron 23. However, with the country's economic conditions and more advanced aircraft technology, The Air Force Commander said the Air Force has a plan in the white paper to procure only one squadron of replacement aircraft, which is currently under consideration and selection according to the process. "We considered 20 types of aircraft and narrowed it down to 6 types, which have the best performance because we will need them for no less than 30 years, can protect our sovereignty and are within the potential to procure. There are 2 types that will be considered: F-16 block 70/72, which differ only in the engine, Pat and Whitney (GE), and Gripen E/F. We are currently in the process of reviewing all documents and are in the process of presenting them to the Minister of Defense," said the Air Force Commander. Source: Thai News Agency