Page 3 - Defense & Security 2023 - Day 1

...Cont’d from PG 1

“At present, it is likely that we will

procure the F-16 or the Gripen that are

currently in service and for which spare

parts and maintenance equipment are
available in the inventory.”

Exclusive Interview: development, enhancement of air oper-
Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul ations based on the network centric
Commander-in-Chief Royal Thai Air Force operations, tactical data links develop-
ment, utilization of aircraft in various
What are your present objectives and mod- missions, for example, UAV in public Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul
ernization plans for the RTAF? assistance, DA-42 and BT-67 in wildfire Commander-in-Chief Royal Thai Air Force
extinguishment and suppression of air
pollution caused by smoke, helicopters retire F-16 fighters after a long service,
The RTAF is a dynamic organization. We in transporting patients, Airbus A340 in while the replacement plan was previ-
have the RTAF strategy and capability overseas evacuation, and dispatch of ously aimed at the F-35 aircraft. With
development plan in various aspects for RTAF personnel in providing assistance the rejection by the US, the RTAF has to
use as an operational guideline and in the and relief of disasters. However, it is too consider other options.
RTAF development. As a consequence soon to claim that we have achieved the
of the current security environment, most important accomplishments due
the RTAF has come up with its vision to the fact that security environment is At present, it is likely that we will procure
to become powerful and efficient. The highly dynamic. We, in turn, have to keep the F-16 or the Gripen that are currently
concept of force preparation is made to on our improvement. in service and for which spare parts and
accurately correspond to the present and maintenance equipment are available in
future threat evaluation, traditional and the inventory. The selection process will
non-traditional threats, military opera- What is the present status of the RTAF’s be conducted under the consideration
tions other than war, prevention and fleet of fighter aircraft and what are some of a specific working group to guarantee
solution for disasters, public assistance, of the upgrades and new acquisitions cost effectiveness and highest suitability.
and national development in accordance being planned?
with government policies. The RTAF What has been the RTAF experience with
will strive for its readiness in protecting There are three main Wings: Wing 4, the Saab Gripen as it is the only user of this
national sovereignty and security, com- Wing 7, and Wing 1. At Wing 4 in Takhli, fighter aircraft in the region?
petitiveness in providing cooperation Nakhon Sawan, the F-16 fighters which
with neighboring countries, and capabil- are capable of taking off within five min-
ity in joint-operations with allied nations utes have their operations zone cover the The Gripen fighters are the advanced 4.5
including both combat and non-combat entire western and northern regions. generation combat aircraft and have been
missions, especially, humanitarian assis- stationed for twelve years. Until today, the
tance and disaster relief that require Wing 7 in Surat Thani, where the Gripen Gripen has been successfully operational
prompt and effective response. fighters are stationed is responsible for in all dimensions including the readiness,
operations in the southern region and protection of the southern airspace and
What are some of the most important protection of national interests in the maritime national interests, and pro-
recent achievements in improving the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. vision of supports in accordance with
capability of the RTAF? Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima serves to the Government policies, for example,
protect the eastern and the northeastern reconnaissance and aerial photography
So far, we have done many things, namely, regions of the country using F-16 fighters of areas to monitor illegal maritime activ-
aircraft capability upgrade, quality personnel of which at Wing 1, the Air Force plans to ities in the Andaman Sea, etc.

Editorial Director Art Director
Vittorio Rossi Prudente Sudheesh Kularmunda
PUBLISHED BY vittorio.prudente@gbp.com.sg Arun Sivasankaran sudheesh.kularmunda@gbp.com.sg
arun.sivasankaran@gbp.com.sg
Editorial Team Sales Director
Jay Menon Atul Chandra Akshay Satyamurthy
jay.menon@gbp.com.sg atul.chandra@gbp.com.sg akshay.satyamurthy@gbp.com.sg

DEFENSE & SECURITY 2023 NOVEMBER-06-2023 3