Air force confirms nod for new jets

The air force yesterday confirmed that the cabinet on Tuesday agreed in principle to back its proposal to procure the first four jets in a squadron of new fighters for 13.8 billion baht in the next fiscal year.

AVM Prapas Sonjaidee, spokesman for the Royal Thai Air Force, confirmed that the cabinet green-lighted the air force’s fighter procurement plan as reported by media on Tuesday citing a Government House source.

“The air force will next lay out its procurement plan and be willing to answer all questions that may be raised over the project,” AVM Prapas said.

He stressed that no decision has yet been made if the fighter jets to be purchased are to be F-35s, as two committees set up to study what model of fighters are best suited for Thailand’s procurement plan are still conducting their evaluations.

The first committee is headed by ACM Thanasak Metanan, a deputy air force chief who is expected to be a strong contender for the air force’s top job in the future, while the other committee is being led by ACM Phanphakdi Phatthanakun, the air force chief of staff, said the air force spokesman.

AVM Prapas also confirmed that the new squadron of eight jets will replace the F-16 ADF (Air Defence Fighter) jets that were decommissioned from Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima in 2021.

Air force chief ACM Napadej Dhupatemiya previously expressed strong interest in US-made F-35 stealth jets.

Last month, ACM Napadej said F-35s, manufactured by US defence giant Lockheed Martin, would be the best choice because their individual price has fallen considerably from the initial US$142 million (4.7 billion baht) price tag when they first came onto the market.

Now, an F-35 can be purchased for $82 million, or just over half the earlier asking price.