Thailand’s new Air Force Commander-in-Chief, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Sakesan Kantha, has unveiled a forward-looking vision for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), pledging to accelerate unmanned aerial systems (UAS) modernisation while opening fighter pilot training to women for the first time in the service’s history.
In a policy address at the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Thai Air Force Academy (NKRAFA) in Muak Lek, Saraburi, ACM Sakesan outlined a comprehensive roadmap for 2026 focused on professionalism, innovation, and human capital development. His remarks came amid tensions along the Thai–Cambodian border, where aerial surveillance and drone deployments have become increasingly significant.
The RTAF is accelerating its plans to acquire new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with advanced capabilities and is now placing a greater emphasis on integrating advanced drone and counter-drone capabilities into operational doctrine. The RTAF is developing new guidelines to define drone mission types and their tactical applications in both combat and reconnaissance roles. Being displayed at the ongoing show are Kamikaze Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, designed for suicide-attack and suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) missions developed by NKRAFA.
The RTAF has steadily expanded its drone fleet through partnerships with domestic and foreign manufacturers. It is rapidly expanding its drone capability, which is now central to its airpower strategy. Thailand has previously deployed UAS for border patrol, disaster relief, and maritime surveillance, and is now seeking to enhance its counter-drone network amid concerns over unmanned threats in regional airspace.
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