Thailand’s Air Force Accelerates UAS Modernisation and Opens Pilot Training to Women

Thailand’s Air Force Commander Prioritises UAS Modernisation and Gender Diversity in Pilot Training

Mohd Hanif Ismail - : Oct 12, 2025 - : 12:29 pm

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...

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In a policy address at the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Thai Air Force Academy in Muak Lek, Saraburi, ACM Sakesan outlined a comprehensive roadmap for 2026 focused on professionalism, innovation, and human capital development. His remarks came amid renewed tensions along the Thai–Cambodian border, where aerial surveillance and drone deployments have become increasingly significant.

According to the Bangkok Post (11 October 2025), ACM Sakesan’s leadership marks a continuation of RTAF modernisation policies initiated under his predecessor, with an expanded emphasis on integrating advanced drone and counter-drone capabilities into operational doctrine. The Commander said new guidelines will define drone mission types and their tactical applications in both combat and reconnaissance roles, while cautioning against excessive reliance on automation.

“Human pilots undergo over a decade of training to develop discernment, responsibility, and ethical judgment — qualities that machines cannot replicate,” ACM Sakesan remarked. “Technology should serve as an extension of human capability, not a substitute for it.”

The RTAF, which has steadily expanded its drone fleet through partnerships with domestic and foreign manufacturers, views unmanned systems as central to its airpower strategy in the Asia-Pacific. 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.

In a significant move towards gender equality, ACM Sakesan announced plans to admit qualified female cadets into fighter pilot training, breaking a long-standing barrier in the Thai military. This initiative aligns with broader global trends in air forces such as those of South Korea, Japan, and Australia, where women have increasingly entered combat aviation roles.

Following recent border incidents, the Commander ordered a review of the RTAF’s defence white paper to reassess operational readiness and lessons learned. Analysts suggest that Thailand’s focus on integrating UAS technology and broadening its talent pool could position it as a more adaptive air force within the ASEAN security framework.