31-3-2024 (SEOUL) Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has put forward a proposition to vend FA50 light fighters to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), which is set to allocate 19 billion baht in the forthcoming fiscal year for the procurement of new fighter jets, as per a source within the Defence Ministry.
The suggestion was raised by Kang Goo-young, CEO of KAI, during Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang’s recent visit to South Korea, concluding last Saturday.
Accompanied by defence permanent secretary Gen Sanitchanok Sangkhachan, Mr Sutin was invited by South Korea’s Defence Ministry to witness the delivery of the last two Korean-made T-50 advanced trainer jets to the RTAF in August.
The delegation was transported by helicopter, arranged by the host, to KAI’s facility in Sacheon.
In 2015, the RTAF procured a total of 8 T-50 advanced trainer jets and six FA50 light fighters from KAI, with the aircraft gradually being delivered and commissioned at the Nakhon Sawan-based Wing 4 since 2018.
In a media briefing, Mr Kang Goo-young stated that the company’s FA50 is a versatile fighter, capable of matching the air combat capabilities of US-made F16 fighter jets, but at nearly half the cost and with lower maintenance expenses.
The KF-21, also developed by KAI, costs only US$80 million (2.9 billion baht), with maintenance costs of $14,000 per flight hour, he added.
“We’re prepared to submit a proposal to the RTAF for their consideration, as our fighter jets offer affordability without compromising on quality,” said Mr Kang Goo-young.
The RTAF intends to decommission 102 Squadron’s ageing F16s at Wing 1 and substitute them with 12 new fighter jets.
As per the air force’s White Paper, the initial phase requires 19 billion baht in the upcoming 2025 fiscal year to procure the first four aircraft.
Air Force Commander ACM Punpakdee Pattanakul mentioned last week that the jet procurement scheme is expected to be presented to the cabinet on April 2.
The air force is reportedly deliberating between Sweden’s Gripen E/F and the US’s F-16 Block 70 aircraft. A selection committee, tasked with determining which of the two offers better value for money, is anticipated to make a decision in May or June.
Last week, Sweden’s Saab AB announced that its proposal to vend Gripen fighter jets to the RTAF would comply with the government’s offset policy and other requirements for national capability development stipulated by the air force.
Under the offset policy, countries supplying new military hardware to Thailand must reciprocate by offering equal economic evaluations in bilateral trade.
According to the source, under the expenditure plan of 19 billion baht, the RTAF can procure eight FA50 jets. With six FA50 jets already ordered, it will have a total of 14, constituting a squadron.
An F16 fighter jet costs US$160 million, with maintenance expenses of $20,000 per flight hour, compared to maintenance costs of $5,000 per flight hour for an FA50.
During the visit, Mr Sutin also engaged in discussions with his South Korean counterpart Shin Wonsik regarding security and enhancing military cooperation, particularly in the realms of education and the defence industry.
The Defence Technology Institute (DTI) and the Defence Industry and Energy Centre were expected to continue discussions on defence industry development.
According to the source, South Korea’s Defence Ministry expressed interest in further cooperation, with plans to establish a plant in Thailand and transfer technical know-how.
They also met Paul J LaCamera, chief of the United Nations Command (UNC), who expressed gratitude to Thailand for its support on UN missions and commended Thai servicemen for their dedication.
