Fighter Jet News

F-16 Fighting Falcon News

Thailand considers acquisition of F-16C/D aircraft

June 12, 2005 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Thailand is considering to purchase F-16C/D fighters from the United States with a total budget of 1.13 billion US dollars, said the Commander of Royal Thai Airforce. The Thai airforce has contacted Lockheed Martin and both parties are now studying the conditions of the deal.

RTAF F-16A ADF #10309 is passing by at very low altitude at Don Muang AFB during an airshow on January 8th, 2005. [A.S.I.A. Archives Images photo by Ben Yu]

The purchase of the more advanced F-16 fighters would upgrade the Thai airforce's equipment to an international standard. This should in return improve the Thai airforce's capability in multi-lateral military exercises and actions.

The deal with a total value of 1.13 billion dollars will be conducted in the form of barter trade, with the Thai side paying in agriculture products.

The total budget will probably also cover the purchase of suitable missiles and maintenance fees.

Thailand has not yet decided the number of fighters to buy and the form of agriculture products to pay.

Thai airforce is looking for high-capacity fighters, which are not too expensive to replace its decommissioned OV-10 fighters and the F-5 A/B jets to be decommissioned this year.

The US F-16 C/D, Sweden's JAS 39 Gripen and the Russian SU-30 jet have been all reportedly on the choice list of Thailand.

However, the US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld offered F-16 jets with a special condition during talk with his Thai counterpart Thamarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya in Bangkok on Monday, ccording to the Bangkok Post.

Singapore recently donated its F-16A/B fleet to Thailand at the start of 2005. Those F-16s are used by the RTAF to supplement the assets already in service with its Air Force.

Thailand has received 36 new and 16 refurbished F-16A/Bs in four previous buys delivered between 1988 and 2003. With the latest Peace Naresuan IV order, the Thai AF also ordered two F-16s for spare parts reclamation.

Thailand's has been operating F-16 for over 17 years now.


Additional images:

With the latest Peace Naresuan IV order, the Thai AF also ordered two F-16s for spare parts reclamation. One of this is #AAFG0401, former USAF #79324. The other spare aircraft is sitting right next to it. [Photo by Pornpat Muntasoot]