Page 14 - ADT JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2024 Digital Magazine | GBP

Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee said. Indo-Pacific region. The leaders
The U.S. has not ruled out the deal
completely, Prapas said, adding
even if it were approved delivery
could take another 10 years at
least. “The F-35 is designed with
new approaches in terms of tech-
nics and operations in mind, with
the ability to evade radar – stealth.
Therefore, we have to invest in the
U.S.-required basic infrastructure,
training and security measures,”
he said.
“The U.S. would like to dis-
cuss future preparation to
accommodate the purchase
of the F-35A,” he said. “The
U.S. suggests that, during the
transition, the Thai Air Force
should consider buying the
4.5 generation fighter jets
such as the F-16 or the F-15
because of a quicker delivery
schedule.”
The U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff
Gen. David W. Allvin hosted Royal
Thai Air Force Commander in
Chief Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee
Pattanakul for an official counterpart
visit last December to strengthen
the U.S.-Thailand alliance and
advance shared security inter-
ests in support of a free and open
© RSAF
14 | JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2024
fleet of F-16 fighter jets. The deal is
discussed a range of issues that in its nascent stages of discussion,
are vital to common objectives, according to people who are aware
including force modernisation. Allvin of the developments.
reaffirmed U.S. Air Force support
to RTAF modernisation efforts,
highlighting nearly four decades of The Vietnam People’s Air Force cur-
successful bilateral cooperation on rently has about 40 Sukhoi Su-27
the F-16 program and underscor- and Su-30MK2 heavy fighters,
ing the importance of maintaining besides about 30 older Su-22 fight-
interoperability. ers. Hanoi plans to replace these
ageing aircraft with the new F-16s.
RTAF is in the process of updating
its Vietnam War-era F-5s and many Vietnam has also shown keen
of the earlier commissioned F-16s interest in acquiring European
which are scheduled to be decom- fighter jets as part of its ongoing
missioned in the next 10 years. modernisation. Possible candidates
Meanwhile, media reports in included the Typhoon, Rafale, and
Bangkok said that the RTAF plans
to procure three fighter aircraft Saab Gripen E/F. In 2021, Vietnam
from Sweden, after U.S. declined had reached an agreement with
the United States to acquire 12
to provide the F-35 fighters. The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II trainer
RTAF plans to procure three Gripen aircraft.
jet fighters from Sweden to add to
its fleet in Wing 7 in Surat Thani,
reports said. The RTAF operates 11 The Driving Force
Gripen units in Wing 7. Arms procurements, especially
strengthening airpower, can be
Also, Thailand in 2022 had ordered an important indicator as to how
armed reconnaissance AH-6 heli- Southeast Asian countries perceive
copters from the US and Hermes risks from China. While many of
900 drones from Israel to support these countries harbour concerns
maritime operations. about China and are expanding
strategic relations with the United
Vietnam Vigor States, they are diversifying their
The U.S. administration is report- suppliers to avoid creating arms
edly negotiating with Vietnam on the dependencies that could limit their
sale of an arms package featuring a future options..
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