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List of aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force

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The following is a list of aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force, past, present, and future.

Current

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Aircraft Origin Role Designation Type In Service Total Notes
Combat aircraft
Dornier Alpha Jet  Germany Light attack B.J7 Alpha Jet A 18 18[1] 14 planned to upgrade to Alpha Jet TH standards[2]

All expect to retire within 2031

Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine  United States Light attack B.J8 AT-6TH 5 2[3] Six on order
Northrop F-5  United States Multirole fighter B.Kh18 F-5E / TH 1-seat
F-5F / TH 2-seat 		30
3 		33[1] 13 from 33 of F-5E/F upgraded to F-5TH Super Tigris standards[2] which had avionics and weapons upgrades, becoming functionally equivalent to fourth generation fighter.

One F-5TH 2-seat (21105) crashed during training on 3 December 2021.[4][5]

All expect to retire within 2031.

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon  United States Multirole fighter B.Kh19 F-16A Block 15 ADF
F-16A Block 15 OCU
F-16AM Block 20 MLU
F-16B Block 15 ADF
F-16B Block 15 OCU
F-16BM Block 20 MLU 		12
13
12
1
7
6 		51[1] 3 F-16A-15OCU and 4 F-16B-15OCU received from the RSAF.

Block 15 ADF and Block 15 OCU are expect to retire within 2031

Saab JAS 39 Gripen  Sweden Multirole fighter B.Kh20 JAS-39C
JAS-39D 		7
4 		11[1] All received MS20 upgrade. 14 planned. One JAS 39 Gripen C (701108) crashed during an air show on 14 January 2017.
AEW&C
Saab 340 AEW&C  Sweden AEW&C B.K1 S100B Argus 2 2[1] Aircraft mounted with an Erieye radar.
Reconnaissance
Fairchild AU-23 Peacemaker   Switzerland Reconnaissance B.JT2 AU-23A 15 15[1] mounted with EO/IR
Piaggio P.180 Avanti  Italy Reconnaissance B.TL20 Avanti II EVO 1 1[1]
Diamond DA42  Austria Reconnaissance B.TF20 DA42MPP 11 11[1] mounted with EO/IR
Transport
Lockheed C-130 Hercules  United States Tactical airlift B.L8 C-130H
C-130H-30 		7
5 		12[1] 10 Being upgraded
Basler BT-67  United States Transport B.L2 PT6A-67R 7 7[1] A modified Douglas DC-3 with P&W PT6A Turboprop engines. Used for firefighting/seeding. One lost in 2006.
Boeing 737  United States VIP B.L11 737-4Z6 BBJ
737-8Z6 BBJ 		2
2 		4[6]
Airbus A319  Germany VIP/Transport B.L15 A319-115CJ 1 1[7]
Airbus A320  France VIP/Transport B.L15 A320-200ACJ 2 2[7]
ATR 72  France VIP/Transport B.L16 ATR-72-500
ATR-72-600 		3
6 		3
6
Saab 340  Sweden Transport B.L17 340B 5 5[1]
Sukhoi Superjet 100  Russia VIP/Transport B.L18 SSJ100-95LR 3 3[8]
Airbus A340  France VIP/Transport B.L19 A340-541 1 1[9] Former Thai Airways aircraft
Helicopter
Bell 412  United States VIP/Utility H.6 412
412SP
412EP 		6 6[1] 2 retired in Oct 2021.[10]
Sikorsky S-92 Superhawk  United States VIP/Med Evac H.10 S-92A 5 5[1]
Eurocopter EC725  France CSAR/Utility H.11 EC725
H225M 		12 12[1] .[11]
Sikorsky S-70  United States VIP/Utility H.12 S-70i 5 5[12]
Eurocopter EC135  France Utility H.13 H135 6 6[13]
Trainer aircraft
KAI T-50 Golden Eagle  South Korea Light attack/Lead-in fighter trainer B.KhF2 T-50TH 14 14[11] 2 on order.[11] 14 T-50THs ordered in total. First 4 aircraft delivered in April 2018.[14]
Cessna T-41  United States Trainer aircraft B.F14 T-41D 6 6[11]
PAC CT/4  New Zealand Trainer aircraft B.F16 CT-4A/E 24 24[11]
Diamond DA42  Austria Trainer aircraft B.F20 DA42 18 18[1]
Diamond DA40  Austria Trainer aircraft B.F21 DA40NG 8 8
Beechcraft T-6 Texan II  United States Trainer aircraft B.F22 T-6TH 12 12
RTAF-6  Thailand Trainer aircraft B.TO6 RTAF6 3 3[15] 25 planned
UAV
Aeronautics Defense Dominator  Israel Reconnaissance Dominator-2 (3) (3) Three on order.
RTAF U-1  Thailand Reconnaissance BR.TF1 RTAF U-1 17 17 mounted with EO/IR
Aerostar Tactical UAS  Israel Reconnaissance BR.T1 Aerostar BP 4 4 mounted with EO/IR
Sapura Cybereye  Malaysia Reconnaissance Cybereye II Sapura Secured Technologies 3 3 [16] mounted with EO/IR
Earth observation satellite
NAPA-1  Thailand Reconnaissance RTAF-SAT-1 1 1 Thai Earth observation satellite. It is the first satellite of the Royal Thai Air Force.[17][18] The satellite was built by Dutch firm Innovative Solutions In Space (ISISpace).[19] After being delayed several times partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the satellite was launched on 3 September 2020, on Arianespace Vega rocket's flight VV16.[18][20]
NAPA-2  Thailand Reconnaissance RTAF-SAT-2 1 1

Armament

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AGM-65 Maverick
Name Origin Type Notes
Air-to-air missile
Python 4/3  Israel short range infrared homing missile 120 obtained[21]
AIM-120C AMRAAM  United States beyond-visual-range missile initial 50 missiles[21]
AIM-9E/J/P Sidewinder  United States short range infrared homing missile 600 missiles obtained[21]
IRIS-T  Germany short range infrared homing missile 40 units – employs a thrust vector control motor[21]
Meteor  Germany beyond-visual-range missile Future operators
Air-to-surface missile
RBS-15F  Sweden anti-ship missile 25 missiles obtained[21]
AGM-65D/G Maverick  United States infrared imaging AGM 200 missiles obtained[21]
GBU-10 Paveway II  United States Laser-guided bomb
GBU-12 Paveway II  United States Laser-guided bomb
GBU-16 Paveway II  United States Laser-guided bomb
GBU-24 Paveway III  United States Laser-guided bomb
Mark 81 bomb  United States Low-drag general-purpose bomb
Mark 82 bomb  United States Low-drag general-purpose bomb
Mark 83 bomb  United States Low-drag general-purpose bomb
Mark 84 bomb  United States Low-drag general-purpose bomb
GBU-54 Laser JDAM  United States Unguided bomb
GBU-31 or GBU-38  United States Unguided bomb
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Future aircraft

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Purchase Programme

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Upgrade Programme

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Indigenous Programme

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Historic aircraft

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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).[30][31][32]

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-39ZA/ART Albatros Czechoslovakia B.KhF1 trainer 1994–2021 37
Airbus A310-324 France B.L13 transport 1991–2016 1
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 206B Jet Ranger US B.H8/B.HPhT1 helicopter 1982–2006 7 1 ex-Thai Army
Bell 212/UH-1N US B.H6k helicopter 1976–1999 2
Bell UH-1 Iroquois US B.H6 helicopter 1968–2021 31 Received 31, 18 lost
Boeing 100E US B.Kh7 fighter 1931–1949 2 comparison testing
Boripatra Siam B.Th2 bomber 1927–1940 4+ local design
Breguet 14 France B.Th1 bomber 1919–1937 40+ built locally
Breguet III France n/a trainer 1913–? 5
Bristol Bulldog UK B.Kh6 fighter 1930–1940 2 comparison testing
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 75N US B.Kh11 fighter 1939–1949 12 ordered 25, received 12
Curtiss Hawk II US B.Kh9 fighter 1934–1949 12
Curtiss Hawk III US B.Kh10 fighter 1935–1949 74+
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 [33]
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-27 Japan B.Kh12 fighter 1942–1945 12
Nakajima Ki-43 Japan B.Kh13 fighter 1943–1949 24
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 II & IV France n/a trainer 1913–? 4
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 Freedom Fighter 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
Pilatus PC-9 Switzerland B.F19 trainer 1991-2023 22
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 S-51/H-5 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 & 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
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See also

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References

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Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "World Air Forces 2021". FlightGlobal. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "กองทัพอากาศไทย มีเครื่องบินรบกี่ลำ (ในปี 64-68)". ThaiArmedForce. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Royal Thai Air Force Becomes International Launch Customer For U.S. Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine - The Aviationist". 14 November 2021.
  4. ^ a b 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.
  5. ^ a b "F-5 ของกองทัพอากาศตกที่ชัยบาดาล นักบินดีดตัวสำเร็จ บาดเจ็บ". ThaiArmedForce. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Royal Thai Air Force B737". airfleets.net. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  7. ^ a b "A319 for VIPs". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "A340 for VIPs". airfleets.net. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  10. ^ "Royal Thai Air Force retires five older Bell 412s". 21 October 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d e "World Air Forces 2018". Flightglobal Insight. 2018. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  12. ^ "Thai Airforce list" (PDF). 19 February 2023.
  13. ^ "Thai Airforce list" (PDF). 19 February 2023.
  14. ^ "Thailand's Air Force Commissions First Four T-50TH Supersonic Advanced Trainers". Defense World. 4 April 2018.
  15. ^ "กองทัพอากาศไทย สร้างเครื่องบินใช้เองมีใครรู้บ้างไหม บ.ทอ.6 (RTAF6) ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE" – via www.youtube.com.
  16. ^ "UAV in Royal Thai Air Force".
  17. ^ Caramelli, F; Battie, F; Scaccia, A (1 August 2019). "The first Vega ride-share mission flight" (PDF). Utah State University. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  18. ^ a b Nanuam, Wassana (16 June 2020). "Napa-1 satellite finally readies for Friday launch". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  19. ^ "ISIS selected by the Royal Thai Air Force to realize a complete 6U mission for Earth Observation". 7 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  20. ^ Henry, Caleb (3 September 2020). "Arianespace launches Vega on return-to-flight mission with 53 smallsats". SpaceNews. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  21. ^ a b c d e f Trade Registers Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 2015-05-18.
  22. ^ WASSANA NANUAM (16 June 2023). "RTAF plans to buy 3 fighter jets from Sweden". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  23. ^ "Thailand confirms plan to buy additional T-50TH aircraft". Janes. 10 September 2022.
  24. ^ ""โฆษก ทอ." แจงความจำเป็น ต้องได้งบฯ66 ซื้อ F-35A เพื่อเพิ่มประสิทธิภาพการรบ". Bangkok Biz News. 10 September 2022.
  25. ^ Mintra Adair (18 January 2022). "Cabinet approves Air Force's planned purchase of 4 fighter jets". Thai PBS World.
  26. ^ "Thailand air force says U.S. has denied request to buy F-35 jets". Reuters. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  27. ^ "Saab Positions Gripen For Thai Fighter Requirement". Aviation Week. 7 November 2023.
  28. ^ "Korea pitches fighter jets to defence minister Sutin". Bangkok Post. 31 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Air force chooses Swedish jets over US F-16s". Bangkok Post. 10 July 2024.
  30. ^ "Historic Painting". Royal Thai Air Force Museum. Archived from the original on 21 March 2007. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  31. ^ Small Air Force Observer magazine, author unknown, No. 47 July 1988 & No. 50 April 1989
  32. ^ "Royal Thai Air Force" (PDF). Thai Aviation. 2 September 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  33. ^ 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.
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