Air Force releases white paper detailing its proposed purchases
The Royal Thai Air Force (RATF) wants to use next year’s budget to buy F-16 fighter jets, middle-range air defence systems, and anti-drone technologies, according to its white paper made public on Thursday during the RTAF Symposium 2024 seminar.
The F-16 fighter jets would replace the old planes in the Sqn-102 Wing 1 with the purchase also covering spare parts and additional weapon systems.
The white paper is drawn up to inform the public of its missions and plans in terms of developing the kingdom’s air force, the RFTA said.
The paper reveals that the Air Force is looking for middle-range air defence systems and anti-drone technologies, while planning to buy more helicopters to carry prominent figures, as well as KAI T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft, with several more air security projects currently in the pipeline.
RTAF earlier listed the security concerns Thailand might face until 2037 as the geopolitical tensions between powerful nations, natural disasters, new forms of pandemics, and cybercrime.
The military site also said that it is now focusing on exchanging weapons and co-organising training with other nations like China, Russia, and the USA.
According to the government’s budget bill for the 2024 fiscal year, which is now undergoing its second reading, the Defence Ministry came in third place in terms of a ministry with the most budget allocated, receiving a total of 198 billion baht, of which 36 billion baht will go to the RTAF.
