List of aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force
The following is a list of aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force, past, present, and future.
Current[]
Aircraft | Origin | Role | Type | In Service | Total | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combat Aircraft | ||||||||
Dornier Alpha Jet | ![]() |
Light attack | Alpha Jet A | 18 | 18[1] | 18 being upgraded | ||
Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine | ![]() |
Light attack | AT-6TH | (8) | (8)[2] | Eight on orders | ||
Northrop F-5 | ![]() |
Multirole fighter | F-5E
F-5F |
30 3 |
33[1] | 14 from 34 of F-5E/F Super Tigris which had avionics and weapons upgrades, becoming functionally equivalent to fourth generation fighter. One F-5F (21105) crashed during training on 3 December 2021.[3][4] | ||
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon | ![]() |
Multirole fighter | F-16A F-16B |
37 14 |
51[1] | 13A and 1B ADF; 13A and 8B OCU; 12AM and 6 BM MLU, becoming functionally equivalent to Block 52+.In early 2005, the RTAF received 3 F-16A-15OCU and 4 F-16B-15OCU from the RSAF. One F-16 A Block 15 and one F-16 B Block 15 decommissioned in 2021.[5] | ||
Saab JAS 39 Gripen | ![]() |
Multirole fighter | JAS-39C JAS-39D |
7 4 |
11[1] | 18 planned. One JAS 39 Gripen C (701108) crashed during an air show on 14 January 2017. | ||
AEW&C | ||||||||
Saab 340 AEW&C | ![]() |
AEW&C | S100B Argus | 2 | 2[1] | Aircraft mounted with an Erieye radar. | ||
Reconnaissance | ||||||||
Piaggio P.180 Avanti | ![]() |
Reconnaissance | Avanti II EVO | 1 | 1[1] | |||
Diamond DA42 | ![]() |
Reconnaissance | DA42MPP | 8 | 8[1] | mounted with EO/IR | ||
Pilatus PC-6 Porter | ![]() |
Reconnaissance | AU-23A | 15 | 15[1] | mounted with EO/IR | ||
Transport | ||||||||
Boeing 737 | ![]() |
VIP | 737-8Z6 BBJ | 1 | 1[6] | |||
Airbus A319 | ![]() |
VIP/Transport | A319-115CJ | 1 | 1[7] | |||
Airbus A320 | ![]() |
VIP/Transport | A320-200ACJ | 2 | 2[7] | |||
Airbus A340 | ![]() |
VIP/Transport | A340-541 | 1 | 1[8] | Former Thai Airways aircraft | ||
ATR 72 | ![]() |
VIP/Transport | ATR-72-500 | 3 | 3 | |||
Lockheed C-130 Hercules | ![]() |
Tactical airlift | C-130H C-130H-30 |
7 5 |
12[1] | 10 Being upgraded | ||
Basler BT-67 | ![]() |
Transport | PT6A-67R | 7 | 7[1] | A modified Douglas DC-3 with P&W PT6A Turboprop engines. Used for firefighting/seeding. One lost in 2006. | ||
Sukhoi Superjet 100 | ![]() |
VIP/Transport | LR100 | 3 | 3[9][10][11] | |||
Saab 340 | ![]() |
Transport | 340B | 5 | 5[1] | |||
Helicopter | ||||||||
Sikorsky S-92 Superhawk | ![]() |
VIP/Med Evac | S-92A | 2 | 2[1] | |||
Bell 412 | ![]() |
VIP/Utility | 412 412SP 412EP |
6 | 6[1] | 2 retired in Oct 2021.[12] | ||
Bell UH-1H Iroquois | ![]() |
SAR/Utility | UH-1H mod | 16 | 16[1] | |||
Eurocopter EC725 | ![]() |
CSAR/Utility | EC725 H225M |
12 | 12[1] | .[13] | ||
Eurocopter EC135 | ![]() |
Utility | H135 | (6) | (6)[1] | Six on order. | ||
Trainer aircraft | ||||||||
KAI T-50 Golden Eagle | ![]() |
Light attack/Lead-in fighter trainer | T-50TH | 12 | 12[13] | 2 on order.[13] 14 T-50THs ordered in total. First 4 aircraft delivered in April 2018.[14] | ||
Diamond DA42 | ![]() |
Trainer aircraft | DA42 | 10 | 10[1] | |||
Cessna T-41 | ![]() |
Trainer aircraft | T-41D | 6 | 6[13] | |||
PAC CT/4 | ![]() |
Trainer aircraft | CT-4A/E | 24 | 24[13] | |||
Pilatus PC-9 | ![]() |
Trainer aircraft | PC-9 | 22 | 22[1] | |||
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | ![]() |
Trainer aircraft | T-6TH | (12) | (12)[15] | Delivery scheduled for 2022-2023.[16] | ||
RTAF-6 | ![]() |
Trainer aircraft | RTAF6 | 3 | 3[17] | 25 planned | ||
UAV | ||||||||
Aeronautics Defense Dominator | ![]() |
Reconnaissance | Dominator-2 | (3) | (3) | Three on order. | ||
RTAF U-1 | ![]() |
Reconnaissance | RTAF U-1 | 17 | 17 | mounted with EO/IR | ||
Aerostar Tactical UAS | ![]() |
Reconnaissance | Aerostar BP | 4 | 4 | mounted with EO/IR |
Armament[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/FileAGM-65_Maverick_vector_Illustration.svg/220px-FileAGM-65_Maverick_vector_Illustration.svg.png)
Illustration of an AGM -65 Maverick
Name | Origin | Type | Notes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Air-to-air missile | ||||||
Python 4/3 | ![]() |
beyond-visual-range missile | 120 obtained[18] | |||
AIM-120C AMRAAM | ![]() |
beyond-visual-range missile | initial 50 missiles[18] | |||
AIM-9E/J/P Sidewinder | ![]() |
short range infrared homing missile | 600 missiles obtained[18] | |||
IRIS-T | ![]() |
short range infrared homing missile | 40 units – employs a thrust vector control motor[18] | |||
Meteor | ![]() |
short range infrared homing missile | Future operators | |||
Air-to-surface missile | ||||||
RBS-15F | ![]() |
anti-ship missile | 25 missiles obtained[18] | |||
AGM-65D/G Maverick | ![]() |
infrared imaging AGM | 200 missiles obtained[18] | |||
GBU-10 Paveway II | ![]() |
Laser-guided bomb | ||||
GBU-12 Paveway II | ![]() |
Laser-guided bomb | ||||
GBU-16 Paveway II | ![]() |
Laser-guided bomb | ||||
GBU-24 Paveway III | ![]() |
Laser-guided bomb | ||||
Mark 81 bomb | ![]() |
Low-drag general-purpose bomb | ||||
Mark 82 bomb | ![]() |
Low-drag general-purpose bomb | ||||
Mark 83 bomb | ![]() |
Low-drag general-purpose bomb | ||||
Mark 84 bomb | ![]() |
Low-drag general-purpose bomb | ||||
GBU-54 Laser JDAM | ![]() |
Unguided bomb | ||||
GBU-31 or GBU-38 | ![]() |
Unguided bomb |
Gallery[]
Future aircraft[]
Purchase Programme[]
- Additional Saab JAS 39C/D Gripen fighters procurement – Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) plans to purchase 6 additional Saab JAS 39C/D Gripen fighters.[19]
- Lead-in fighter training procurement – Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) expects to launch a US$400 million programme to acquire Lead-in fighter training (LIFT) aircraft to replace Northrop F-5 trainers and eventually its fleet of Aero L-39 Albatros trainer/light attack aircraft procured in the early 1990s. The procurement programme has become pressing since the RTAF started operating a fleet of 12 Saab JAS 39C/D Gripen fighters, which were delivered from 2011–2013.[20][21]
- General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon replace procurement - Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has a plans to purchase the new fighter aircraft for replacing the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet that rather to be retire for the next few year. The RTAF commander-in-chief is looking at the US based Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter, The RTAF plans to purchase 8 or 12 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II in 103 Squadron Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, expected to announced an official order in FY2023. By 12 January 2022 Thailand’s cabinet endorsed the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) plan to purchase a four fighter jets of first batch, at an estimated cost of 13.8 billion bath, the spending will be spread over the next four fiscal years.[20]
Upgrade Programme[]
- upgrade of F-16 – Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) plans to upgrade 18 F-16A/B Block 15 aircraft with the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) and associated parts, equipment, and logistical support for a complete package worth approximately $700 million.[22]
Indigenous Programme[]
- RTAF-6 – Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) plans to produce 25 planes.
Historic aircraft[]
Aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force and its precursors, the Siamese Flying Corps (1914–1919), Royal Siamese Air Service (RSAS) (1919–1937) and Royal Siamese Air Force (RSAF) (1937–1939).[23][24][25]
Aircraft type | Origin | Designation | Role | Service period | # used | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aeritalia G.222 | Italy | B.L14 | transport | 1995–2012 | 6 | 3 traded for Saab 340B |
Aermacchi SF.260 | Italy | B.F15 | trainer | 1973–1999 | 18 | locally built |
Aero Commander 690 | US | B.PhTh4 | reconnaissance | 1982–1988 | 1 | |
Aero L-39 | Czechoslovakia | B.KhF1 | trainer | 1994–2021 | 37 | |
Avro 504N | UK | B.F4 | trainer | 1930–1948 | 70+ | 50+ built locally |
Beechcraft Bonanza | US | B.S5 | transport | 1951–1962 | 3 | Ex-Royal Thai Navy |
Beechcraft C-45B/F | US | B.L1 | transport | 1947–1971 | 7 | First transport |
Beechcraft King Air | US | B.PhTh3 | reconnaissance | 1982–1989 | 1 | |
Beechcraft Queen Air | US | B.PhTh2 | reconnaissance | 1971–1989 | 3 | |
Bell 47/OH-13H | US | B.H7 | helicopter | 1972–1973 | 9 | |
Bell 212/UH-1N | US | B.H6 | helicopter | 1976–1999 | 2 | |
Bell 206B Jet Ranger | US | B.H8/B.HPhT1 | helicopter | 1982–2006 | 7 | 1 ex-Thai Army |
Boeing 100E | US | B.Kh7 | fighter | 1931–1949 | 2 | comparison testing |
Breguet III | France | n/a | trainer | 1913–? | 5 | |
Breguet 14 | France | B.Th1 | bomber | 1919–1937 | 40+ | built locally |
Bristol Bulldog | UK | B.Kh6 | fighter | 1930–1940 | 2 | comparison testing |
Boripatra | Siam | B.Th2 | bomber | 1927–1940 | 4+ | local design |
Cessna 150 | US | B.Ph1 | trainer | 1971–2004 | 6 | |
Cessna 170B | US | B.S7 | transport | 1954–1959 | 9 | |
Cessna 411 | US | B.PhTh1 | reconnaissance | 1982–1989 | 2 | |
Cessna A-37 | US | B.J6 | attack | 1972–1994 | 20 | |
Cessna O-1 Bird Dog | US | B.T2 | reconnaissance | 1967–1990 | 54 | |
Cessna T-37B/C Tweet | US | B.F12 | trainer | 1961–1996 | 22 | |
Consolidated PT-1 | US | B.F3 | trainer | 1928–1939 | 4 | |
Curtiss Hawk II | US | B.Kh9 | fighter | 1934–1949 | 12 | |
Curtiss Hawk III | US | B.Kh10 | fighter | 1935–1949 | 74+ | |
Curtiss Hawk 75N | US | B.Kh11 | fighter | 1939–1949 | 12 | ordered 25, received 12 |
Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver | US | B.J3 | attack | 1951–1955 | 6 | Ex-Royal Thai Navy |
de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk | Canada | B.F9 | trainer | 1950–1989 | 66 | |
de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth | UK | B.F10 | trainer | 1951–1961 | 34 | |
Douglas C-47 & EC-47D | US | B.L2 | transport | 1947–1997 | 55 | B.L2k still in service |
Douglas C-54/DC-4 | US | B.L3 | transport | 1959–1966 | 2 | |
Douglas DC-8-62AF | US | B.L10 | transport | 1979–1989 | 3 | |
Eurocopter AS332L-2 Super Puma | France | B.H9 | helicopter | 1996–2002 | 3 | |
Fairchild 24 | US | B.S1 | transport | 1938–1950 | 13 ca. | |
Fairchild C-123B/K | US | B.L4 | transport | 1964–1995 | 46 | |
Fairey Firefly FR.1 & T.2 | UK | B.J4 | attack | 1951–1955 | 12 | later target tug |
GAF N.22B Nomad | Australia | B.L9 | transport/reconnaissance | 1982–2015 | 22 | [26] |
Grob G 109 | Germany | B.R2 | trainer | 1989–1994 | 2 | motor glider |
Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat | US | B.Kh15 | fighter | 1951–1963 | 207 | |
Grumman Widgeon | US | B.S6 | transport | 1951–1956 | 5 | |
Heinkel HD 43 | Germany | B.Kh8 | fighter | 1930–1940 | 2 | comparison testing |
Helio Courier | US | B.Th1 | transport | 1963–1986 | 20 | |
Hiller 360/UH-12 | US | B.H2 | helicopter | 1950–1952 | 5 | |
Hoffman H-36 Dimona | Austria | B.R1 | trainer | 1983–1994 | 10 ca. | motor glider |
Kaman HH-43 Huskie | US | B.H5 | helicopter | 1962–1970 | 4 | |
Kawasaki KH-4 | Japan | B.HPhT2 | reconnaissance helicopter | 1982–1985 | 1 | ex-Thai Army |
Lockheed T-33A/RT-33A | US | B.F11 | trainer | 1955–1996 | 54 | |
Martin 139WSM & 166 | US | B.Th3 | bomber | 1937–1949 | 15 | 9 ex-Dutch 166s via Japan |
Miles Magister | UK | B.F7 | trainer | 1947–1952 | 20 | |
Mitsubishi Ki-21 | Japan | B.Th4 | bomber | 1940–1949 | 9 | |
Mitsubishi Ki-30 | Japan | B.J2 | attack | 1940–1951 | 25 | |
Nakajima Ki-27b | Japan | B.Kh12 | fighter | 1942–1945 | 12 | |
Nakajima Ki-43 | Japan | B.Kh13 | fighter | 1943–1949 | 24 | |
Nieuport II & IV | France | n/a | trainer | 1913–? | 4 | |
Nieuport 17 & 21 | France | B.Kh1 | fighter | 1918–1927 | 4+ | |
Nieuport 24bis | France | B.Kh2 | fighter | 1918–1932 | 12+ | |
Nieuport 80 | France | B.F1 | trainer | 1918–1935 | 12 ca. | |
Nieuport 83 | France | B.F2 | trainer | 1918–1935 | 12 ca. | |
Nieuport-Delage NiD 29 | France | B.Kh4 | fighter | 1923–1936 | 12+ | built locally |
North American F-86F/L Sabre | US | B.Kh17 | fighter | 1961–1972 | 74 | |
North American T-6 Texan | US | B.F8 | trainer | 1948–1974 | 220 | |
North American T-28D | US | B.F13 | trainer | 1962–1988 | 120 | |
Northrop F-5A/B/C & RF-5A | US | B.Kh18 | fighter | 1967–2000 | 29 | Variants in service. |
PAC CT/4 Airtrainer | New Zealand | B.F16 | trainer | 1999–2018 | 24 | |
Percival Prince | UK | B.T1 | reconnaissance | 1952–1962 | 1 | |
Piper L-4 Cub/Piper PA-11 | US | B.S3 | transport | 1947–1962 | 44 | |
Prajadhipok | Siam | B.Kh5 | fighter | 1929–? | 1 | local design |
Rearwin 9000 | US | B.S2 | transport | 1938–1947 | 2 | |
Republic F-84G Thunderjet | US | B.Kh16 | fighter | 1956–1963 | 34 | |
RFB Fantrainer 400 & 600 | Germany | B.F18 | trainer | 1988–1994 | 26 | |
Rockwell OV-10C Bronco | US | B.J5 | attack | 1971–2004 | 32 | to Philippine AF |
RTAF-4 | Thailand | B.F17 | trainer | 1974–1989 | 13 ca. | locally built |
Sikorsky H-5/S-51 | US | B.H1 | helicopter | 1950–1954 | 4 | |
Sikorsky S-55/H-19 | US | B.H3 | helicopter | 1954–1965 | 11 | |
Sikorsky S-58/S-58T/H-34 | US | B.H4 | helicopter | 1962–2003 | 65 | |
SPAD VII & SPAD XIII | France | B.Kh3 | fighter | 1919–1931 | 32+ | |
Stinson L-5 & L-5B | US | B.S4 | transport | 1947–1959 | 10 | |
Supermarine Spitfire FR.14/PR.19 | UK | B.Kh14 | fighter | 1951–1955 | 34 | |
Tachikawa Ki-36 | Japan | B.F6 | trainer | 1942–1950 | 24 | |
Vought V-93S Corsair | US | B.J1/B.F5 | attack/trainer | 1934–1950 | 84+ | Locally built/modified |
Gallery[]
Royal Thai Air Force Boeing 100E
RTAF Tachikawa Ki-36
model of RTAF Nakajima Ki-43
RTAF Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat
North American F-86L Sabre of the RTAF in flight
Royal Thai Air Force
T-33A
See also[]
- Royal Thai Air Force Museum
- Military of Thailand
- Royal Thai Army
- Royal Thai Navy
References[]
- Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "World Air Forces 2021". FlightGlobal. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ "Royal Thai Air Force Becomes International Launch Customer For U.S. Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine - The Aviationist".
- ^ Carter, Ann (6 December 2021). "A bird strike may have caused Royal Thai Air Force F-5 fighter jet's recent crashing". The Thaiger. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
- ^ "F-5 ของกองทัพอากาศตกที่ชัยบาดาล นักบินดีดตัวสำเร็จ บาดเจ็บ". ThaiArmedForce. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "RTAF decommissions two F-16 and five L-39". www.janes.com.
- ^ "Royal Thai Air Force B737". airfleets.net. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
- ^ a b "A319 for VIPs". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
- ^ "A340 for VIPs". airfleets.net. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "Sukhoi Civil Aircraft to Deliver the Third SBJ to the Royal Thai Air Force". superjetinternational. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ https://helihub.com/2021/10/21/royal-thai-air-force-retires-five-older-bell-412s/
- ^ a b c d e "World Air Forces 2018". Flightglobal Insight. 2018. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- ^ "Thailand's Air Force Commissions First Four T-50TH Supersonic Advanced Trainers". Defense World. 4 April 2018.
- ^ "Textron Aviation place son T-6C Texan II en Thaïlande". 29 September 2020.
- ^ Releases, DP Press. "Royal Thai Air Force Awards Textron Contract For 12 Beechcraft T-6C Texan II Aircraft". DefPost.
- ^ "กองทัพอากาศไทย สร้างเครื่องบินใช้เองมีใครรู้บ้างไหม บ.ทอ.6 (RTAF6) ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ a b c d e f Trade Registers Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 2015-05-18.
- ^ Greg Waldron (12 February 2014). "SINGAPORE: Saab looks for additional Thai Gripen sale". Flightglobal. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ a b John Grevatt (22 January 2014). "Thailand to launch lead-in fighter programme after new government forms". IHS Jane’s 360. Archived from the original on 27 January 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2016. Cite error: The named reference "programme" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ CHUTER, ANDREW. "Alenia Aermacchi Sets Its Sights on Thai Trainer Contest". Archived from the original on 17 February 2014.
- ^ "Thailand – F-16 Mid-Life Upgrade". Defense Security Cooperation Agency. 30 September 2010. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ "Historic Painting". Royal Thai Air Force Museum. Archived from the original on 21 March 2007. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ Small Air Force Observer magazine, author unknown, No. 47 July 1988 & No. 50 April 1989
- ^ "Royal Thai Air Force" (PDF). Thai Aviation. 2 September 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
- ^ AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. March 2016. p. 27.
- Comments
- Bibliography
- Wieliczko, Leszek A. and Zygmunt Szeremeta. Nakajima Ki 27 Nate (bilingual Polish/English). Lublin, Poland: Kagero, 2004. ISBN 83-89088-51-7.
External links[]
Categories:
- Lists of military aircraft
- Royal Thai Air Force
- Thai military aircraft
- Thai military-related lists