Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) T-50 Golden Eagle Lead-In Fighter Trainers are currently in the midst of an upgrade by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The Korean air-framer is upgrading the RTAF T-50s with a Radar, Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) and Counter Measures Dispenser System (CMDS). The RTAF is slated to take delivery of the final upgraded T-50 by October 2021. A KAI official says the US$52 million deal could raise the performance of the T-50TH and further, will keep a high operation rate via the smooth operation of the aircraft.
Thailand has purchased 12 T-50s in two batches in 2015 (four aircraft) and 2017 (eight aircraft) respectively. Four aircraft under the first order have been inducted for training since March 2018, while the eight additional units will be delivered by 2020, starting later this year. The T-50 family is equipped with the Elta EL/M- 2032 pulse Doppler radar. The aircraft variants are currently under operation in Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. KAI is eyeing to export the aircraft to Malaysia and Argentina.
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