25-5-2023 (Bangkok) The United States has declined Thailand’s request to purchase F-35 fighter jets, citing concerns over the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) inadequate facilities and security measures. US Ambassador Robert F Godec personally informed RTAF chief ACM Alongkorn Wannarot of the decision during a meeting last week, according to a reliable RTAF source.
The source quoted Ambassador Godec as stating that the RTAF’s current infrastructure does not meet the necessary requirements for accommodating the advanced fighter jets. However, doubts have arisen regarding the real motives behind the rejection, with some speculating that the Biden administration views Thailand as leaning too much towards Beijing.
During the meeting, Ambassador Godec reassured the RTAF chief that the United States remains open to further discussions on the procurement of F-35 fighter jets once Thailand is prepared to meet the necessary conditions.
Fortunately, the RTAF has not suffered any significant repercussions from the rejection, apart from having to return 369 million baht from its 2023 budget. This amount had been allocated as the first installment towards the potential purchase of the F-35 jets.
The RTAF has been actively seeking to replace its aging fleet of F-16 fighter jets with two F-35 aircraft, with an estimated cost of 7.38 billion baht. However, as ACM Alongkorn had previously indicated, the likelihood of the US agreeing to the sale was only around 50%.
