Page 6 - DEFENSE & SECURITY 2022 - Day 3 | DAILY NEWS
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modification, VIP transport, light
TEXTRON AVIATION utility lift, air traffic control calibra-
tion and others. This broad portfolio
DEFENCE TO BOOST makes Textron Aviation Defence and
Special Missions a reliable mission
THAI DEFENCE CAPABILITY partner for national and corporate
needs throughout the Asia Pacific
region.
INTERVIEW:
Thomas Webster, Director of Textron What are some of the
Aviation Defence Asia Pacific Sales global developments
& Strategy
at Textron Aviation
Please elaborate Defence that will be of
on Textron Aviation interest in the region?
Defence’s presence in The continued growth of the Textron
Aviation Defense fleet is highlighted
Thailand? by the recent type certifications for
the Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine and
TA Defence is pleased to have the Cessna SkyCourier, the first flight
the opportunity to help expand and rapid progress of the Beechcraft
Thailand’s growing aviation indus- The first of the Denali and the creation of a new
try and is teamed with Thailand RTAF’s twelve T-6TH will e-Aviation business within Textron
Aerospace Industries (TAI) and RV Inc. expands the company’s vision-
Connex, Co. for manufacturing be arriving in Thailand ary heritage and role as an industry
work and assembly on the Royal later this year. The leader across all aspects of aviation.
Thai Air Force (RTAF) Beechcraft deliveries are expected We inspire the journey of flight in Asia
T-6TH and Beechcraft AT-6TH. As Pacific and all around the world. For
the RTAF inducts these aircraft into to be completed by the more than 90 years, Textron Aviation
the national inventory over the next middle of 2023.HI has empowered its collective talent
two years, TA Defence anticipates across the Beechcraft, Cessna and
the continued growth and expan- Please elaborate Hawker brands to design and deliver
sion of relationships and a growing the best aviation experience for our
presence in Thailand. on Textron Aviation customers. We have the most ver-
Defence’s presence in SE satile and comprehensive aviation
What is the status of Asia? product portfolio in the world and a
workforce that has produced more
the RTAF’s 2021 order for Textron Aviation Defence and than half of all general aviation
eight Beechcraft AT-6 Special Missions have a broad base aircraft worldwide. These aircraft
deliver value and world class perfor-
of customers throughout Asia with
Wolverine aircraft? aircraft covering the gamut of mis- mance to customers throughout the
sions from training, national defense, Asia Pacific region and open up new
The first of the RTAF’s AT-6TH is maritime patrol, humanitarian assis- capabilities to meet a wide array of
starting down the production line tance, aeromedical airlift, weather national and corporate needs.
with first in-country deliveries
beginning in late 2023. The
RTAF will have use of a Textron
Aviation Defence Beechcraft AT-6
Wolverine for three years, which
will be arriving in-country in late
2022. This aircraft will serve as
an Engineering, Manufacturing
and Development testbed for
integration of the RTAF’s datalink
and other sovereign programs as
part of the nation’s Purchase and
Develop initiative.
6 AUGUST 31 2022 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/DAILY NEWS
