With an ageing combat and support fleet, the Thai air force is looking for rejuvenation.
Ren‚ van Woezik/BANGKOK
The countries bordering Thailand are in the process of upgrading their combat-aircraft inventories. It is not surprising, therefore, that the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is campaigning to strengthen its own fighter fleet. Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Malaysia are all undertaking procurement programmes, with Western and Russian manufacturers bidding heavily for the work. The question is, to what extent will their decisions influence Thai plans?
Malaysia's candidacy to become the first export customer for Russia's RVV-AE (AA-12 Adder) active-radar-guided missile, part of its Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum package, is already having a knock-on effect. Thailand wants the Hughes AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile to counter this.
The RTAF receives its second batch of Lockheed F-16A/B Fighting Falcons in June, with the air force still exerting pressure to acquire later model C/Ds. According to air force officers, while the financial package for the second batch of F-16s has long been secure, funding for a purchase of C/Ds has failed to materialise in the 1996 defence budget.
They say that the air force would also like to acquire a long-range, multi-role strike aircraft in the class of the McDonnell Douglas F-15E or possibly the Sukhoi Su-30 or Su-35 Flanker derivative. Such a purchase, however, remains only on the air force chiefs' wish list. The USA also appears to be against allowing the Thais even a downgraded variant of the F-15E.
Air force squadrons
The RTAF consists of 20 squadrons operating from ten air bases. The front-line units consist of one dedicated air-defence squadron, seven attack squadrons and three squadrons with a counter-insurgency (COIN) task. There are four fixed-wing transport squadrons and two rotary-wing squadrons.
The force is divided into four geographically dispersed air divisions, supported by a Flying Training School (FTS) of two squadrons, which are tasked with basic and advanced training. The first Air Division (AD) has its air bases in the Bangkok area, while the second AD is based in the eastern part of Thailand. The third AD is in the central and northern-provinces and the fourth AD has its air bases in the south.
COMBAT INVENTORY
Thailand was the first Asian country to receive the F-16, the procurement being the largest, in financial terms, ever carried out by the RTAF. The fighter was introduced into operational service in 1989 with 103 Sqn, which is still the sole unit to be equipped with the aircraft, although the F-5-equipped 403 Sqn at Ta Khli is expected to become the second RTAF F-16 unit in June.
Bolstering the F-16 air-defence unit are four dual-role Northrop F-5 squadrons. The RTAF has, over the years, acquired a "hotch-potch" of F-5 models, including ten surviving (R)F-5A/Bs. Despite the designation, these aircraft are used in the ground-attack role. Although equipped with cameras, it is not clear if the remaining RF-5As of 231 Sqn are still used for reconnaissance.
The F-5s are regularly flown in air-defence missions over the Gulf of Thailand and over the radar installation on the island of Ko Samui, which controls the air traffic of south Thailand.
The F-5E is also operated, somewhat idiosyncratically, in the Royal Flight by the Crown Prince Watsilalongkon Machidonwho. The Prince flies "missions" with his private F-5E up to four times a week from Don Muang. To accompany the Crown Prince, three F-5Es are on detachment from the front-line squadrons.
The RTAF has announced that it is to sell 12 of its F-5Es to Uruguay, leaving the air force with only a limited operational reserve.
Alongside the ground attack F-5s, the air force has now introduced the Aero L-39ZA Albatros into service as both an operational jet trainer and light-strike aircraft. The first of 36 aircraft on order was delivered in 1993.
A second unit was equipped with the L-39 in 1994 when its F-5E/Fs were relocated to southern Thailand to protect a developing industrial region of the country.
In keeping with the region's recent history, and its use of air power, the RTAF also has an active COIN capability. The air force uses the venerable Rockwell OV-10C Bronco in this role, with 19 aircraft of the original 32-unit delivery still in operational service. RTAF officers say that they would have liked to acquire more Broncos, but the production line has long been closed. Instead, several GAF N-22B Nomads were bought and modified to a gunship configuration by Hawker Pacific.
Other COIN aircraft include AU-23A Peacemakers, militarised versions of the Swiss Pilatus PC-6 Turbo Porter built under licence.
HERCULEAN DESIRES
Alongside a requirement for additional F-16s, the air force would also like to supplement its Lockheed C-130Hs which are used in the heavy-transport role. Its fleet consists of 12 C-130s, of which five are stretched C-130H-30s variants. RTAF officers admit that they would like to operate at least 16 C-130s, so an additional purchase of the aircraft remains a possibility.
The Don Muang-based 605 Sqn is equipped with a variety of aircraft for several tasks. Once known as an Aerial Mapping Unit, the squadron is still using two Fairchild Merlin 4As containing a photographic installation in the cabin floor to conduct surveys, while three Learjet 35As are used for electronic counter-measure missions. The aircraft are also used for target towing. Electronic intelligence missions are flown using three IAI Aravas.
Harrier ambitions hinge on Matadors
Like its land-based counterpart, the Royal Thai Naval Air Division is also trying to improve its combat capability. The navy is to purchase ex-Spanish McDonnell Douglas AV-8S Matadors to equip its helicopter carriers, now on order. In another procurement saga, which unfortunately typifies Thai purchases, the navy over four years ago expressed a desire to purchase 30 ex-US Navy LTV A-7 Corsair IIs. Early in 1994, the US Government approved the release of 18 A-7s, but the status of this purchase remains uncertain.
The navy also continues to operate a few Grumman S-2F Trackers, although only for training. The aircraft were previously used in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role, but were withdrawn from this following the cancellation of a proposed engine retrofit programme.
The ASW task is fulfilled by the three Fokker Maritime Enforcers and some Lockheed P-3 Orions. Three Dornier 228-212s were received in 1991, and are used in a maritime role.
The first P-3s arrived at U Tapao in 1994 to replace the S-2F in the ASW role. Two P-3A are used for spare parts and one P-3A has been converted to a P-3T. In addition, one P-3T and one UP-3T are expected to arrive at U Tapao soon. The latter will used as a utility/trainer aircraft.
The navy will receive six Sikorsky S-70B Seahawks in 1997 for ASW and search and rescue (SAR) duty. They will be based on the helicopter-carriers. Eight Bell 212s are now used in the SAR and support role.
Bells are also well represented in the Thai army aviation battalion, with more than 200 UH-1H Hueys on its books. In 1990, the army received four Bell AH-1F Cobras, although so far no more of this type have been requested. For heavy transport, five CH-47D Chinooks have been introduced into service since 1991. Also delivered in 1991 were 25 Bell 212s, with an additional six received in 1994. A further seven Bell 212s will be delivered both this year and in 1996.
The 'chicken' squadron goes flying
The centre of military training in Thailand is the Flying Training School (FTS), located at Kamphaeng Saen. The "Chicken" Squadron of the First Flying Training Squadron, responsible for primary flight training, is equipped with ten Pacific Aerospace CT-4A Airtrainers delivered in 1973 and five CT-4B Airtrainers received in 1992.
The 2 FTS was formed with the arrival of 20 Pilatus PC-9s for advanced training in 1991. The PC-9 replaced the RFB FT-600 Fantrainers which proved to be unsatisfactory, according to air force sources. The 15 FT-600s were transferred to 402 Sqn at Ta Khli to be used in a weapons-training and light-attack role. Officials claim that problems with the locally built metal wings were in part responsible for the re-assignment of the aircraft.
Advanced jet training is also a task of 1 FTS. Around ten surviving T-37B/Cs are used for this role. The T-33A had been the lead-in trainer for RTAF fighter aircraft for 37 years until the T-33As of 561 Sqn at Hat Yai were withdrawn from use in 1994.
The fighter lead-in training is now performed as a secondary task of the Albatros squadrons and plans exist to re-equip the now de-activated 561 Sqn with the L-39ZA. Many, if not all, of the Sia Marchetti SF-260MTs of the FTS have been transferred to 604 Sqn at Don Muang according to air force officers.
This squadron, also known as the "Thai Flying Club", is tasked with liaison and the refresher training of desk-bound pilots. Beside the SF-260MT, 604 Sqn is equipped with a Cessna T-41D and a few Cessna 150Hs.
Source: Flight International
