Royal Thai Air Force signs US$143 million contract for US-made aircraft

The Royal Thai Air Force signed a contract on Sunday to buy a new fleet of aircraft. These will come from Textron Aviation Defense, an American aircraft manufacturer that builds planes for the US military. The US$143 million, or about 4.86 billion baht, deal was made on the first day of the Dubai Airshow.

The RTAF is set to purchase 8 Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine light aircraft from the American defense manufacturer. It will also include supporting equipment and necessary spare parts. These light aircraft are meant for the RTAF 41st Wing light attack operations unit, which is based in Chiang Mai. Air Marshal Pongsawat Jantasarn heads that committee that approved the purchase of these planes, and he explained his decision.

“RTAF pilots and concerned parties found the attributes of the AT-6 procurement programme very favourable… It will also benefit both Thai and US interests,…