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Thailand to receive Singapore F-16A/B's
December 13, 2004 (by
Bjorn Claes) -
Singapore will donate its F-16A/B fleet to Thailand at the start of 2005. The vipers will be used by the RTAF to supplement the assets already in service with its Air Force.
This news was announced by RTAF Commander-in-Chief, Kongsak Wanthana at a press conference on November 18th.
On November 12th a memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two nations covering both the delivery of the 7 F-16s (3 Alpha models and 4 Bravo models) and the training facilities that the RSAF will get in return. In the MoU the RSAF is allowed to train 3 times a year at Udon Thani AB in Thailand for a maximum of 60 days a session with a maximum of 20 aircraft and this for a period of 15 years.
This deal has many advantages for both parties. Singapore will have access to vast training facilities in Thailand and is able to rationalise its F-16 fleet and operate only the latest C/D models of the venerable viper. Thailand on its behalf will get 7 extra airframes to supplement its already owned airframes in a short timeframe. This deal signifies the good relationship between the two Asian countries, both members of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
RSAF four-ship of the original Peace Carvin I program over the Singapore skyline. Alpha's #881 and #882 and Bravo's #885 and #887. [Photo by Peter Steineman]
On November 12th a memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two nations covering both the delivery of the 7 F-16s (3 Alpha models and 4 Bravo models) and the training facilities that the RSAF will get in return. In the MoU the RSAF is allowed to train 3 times a year at Udon Thani AB in Thailand for a maximum of 60 days a session with a maximum of 20 aircraft and this for a period of 15 years.
This deal has many advantages for both parties. Singapore will have access to vast training facilities in Thailand and is able to rationalise its F-16 fleet and operate only the latest C/D models of the venerable viper. Thailand on its behalf will get 7 extra airframes to supplement its already owned airframes in a short timeframe. This deal signifies the good relationship between the two Asian countries, both members of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).