Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has offered to sell its FA-50 light attack aircraft to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF).
Royal Thai Air Force issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in 2023 to acquire 12-14 new platforms to replace the Type 19 Lockheed Martin F-16A/B ADF fighter aircraft.
The Royal Thai Air Force allocates $76.3 million to procure four new aircraft in the first phase.
The RTAF considers procurement between the Swedish SAAB Gripen E/F fighter jet and the F-16 Block 70/72. The Gripen E/F has a per-engine price of $65 million, while the F-16C/D Block 70/72 has a per-engine price of $73 million. With KAI’s proposal, RTAF may procure up to eight FA-50 units, while only four Gripen E/F or F-16C/D Block 70/72 units will be procured.
The Royal Thai Air Force currently has 12 T-50TH fighter and training aircraft stationed in Squadron 401, Wing 4 Takhli.
The RTAF White Paper 2024 also details the plan to procure two additional T-50THs during the fiscal year. 2025-2028 will increase the number of aircraft in the squadron 401. There will be a total of 16 platforms.
The T-50TH is a model for the Royal Thai Air Force in the T-50 Golden Eagle family of jet aircraft, as well as the T-50 jet trainer, TA-50 light attack jet trainer and the FA-50 light attack fighter.
Korean KAI Proposes FA-50 to the Royal Thai Air Force
