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Aviation History
2001
2001 - 3799.PDF
Directory: world air forces remain more or less serviceable. The F-5, F-7 and F-6 fighters, as well as the MiG-15UTI trainers, are reported to fly rarely because of airworthiness prob lems. China claims an African customer for the A-5 Fantan. Some reports suggest it is Tanzania but there is little corroboration of this. Tanzania's long coastline means that transports are also used for patrol flights and a dedicated type will be procured if funds can be made available. A police air wing has a Cessna U206, two Bell 206L LongRangers and a Bell 47G-3B2. Type F-7A (MiG-21) F-6 (MiG-19) F-5(MiG-17) OHC-5D Buffalo Y-12(ll) BeechA100 F28 Fellowship 1000 Bell 206B JetRanger MiG-15UTI SA316B Alouette III No 11 10 8 4 2 1 1/2 2 2 2 4 Role mt int FGA trans trans (wfu?) comms trans liaison KONGTAP AGARD THAI (ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE) Asia's economic woes hit the Royal Thai Air Force RTAF hard and it was forced to cancel an order for eight F/A-18C/D Hornets placed in 1996. In 2000, it succeeded in agreeing a deal for 15 F-16A/B ADFs, partially financed by swapping a large F/A-18 spares holding. First deliveries are planned for early 2001. The Thai air force would like to upgrade its F-16s but funding has not been secured. In 1999, the RTAF signed for 25 ex-German air force Alpha Jets. These machines have been in storage since the early 1990s and are in poor condition. While the airframes are cheap, around $27,000 each, the reconditioning work is not, costing 50 to 60 times this amount. Dasa is refurbishing 20 aircraft which will replace ageing OV-10CS and AU-23s. The first jets were handed over in September 2000. German Alpha Jets were configured as light strike aircraft rather than trainers. In May 2000, Elbit re-won a $66 million deal to modify 31 F-5Es. A similar deal had never been finalised because of financial difficulties. The upgrade includes the Python 4 AAM, Elbit mission computer, new ECM, RWR and improved IFF. Plans for AEW, more transports and tanker aircraft are in abeyance. It also needs 14 helicopters to replace ageing S-58Ts in the SAR role. Two Super Pumas were for sale after a third exam ple was involved in a fatal crash in September 1997, but in 2001 it was decided to refurbish the aircraft and return them to the air. IAI was selected in August 2001 to upgrade 19 UH-1s with new avionics to keep them in service until at least 2010. Modernisation of the pilot training syllabus means PC-9s have assumed part of the Fantrainer's role - the latter is now used for light attack and weapons-training duties only. Type No Role F-16A/B Block 15 OCU 28/8/15" int/trnq -.ge F-5A/B/RF-5A OV-10C Bronco Alpha Jet 3/4/1 int/trng/recce k Albatros CT-4/E AirtrainflHHHh Cessna T-41D Mescalero 6 AU-23 Peacemaker C-130H/H-30 Hercules G22^^^^^ Basler Turbo 67 BAe 748-208 A310 =••• 737-400 22 COIN trans in Maker trans/VIP VIP/royal fit MerlinJVA^^^_ Learjet 35A Bell 412/HP/EP UH-1H/N Iroquois Bell 206 S-58T9HHI Fantrainer 400/600 2/3/4 trans/SAR/VIP trng 30 AS332L2 Super Puma Mk22 trans KONGBIN THA HAN LUR THAI (ROYAL THAI NAVY AIR ARM) The Thai navy has small fixed-wing combat and long- range patrol fleets, as well as helicopters which oper ate from three classes of guided missile frigates. In August 2001, the navy ordered two Super Lynx 300s in a $35 million deal. The Harriers were purchased from Spain in 1997 and can deploy at sea on the air craft carrier Chakri Naruebet. Funding problems have prevented deployment of the ship and the purchase of AV-8 spares, which means the AV-8s have remained grounded for much of the time. Chakri Naruebet's ait wing also includes Seahawks delivered in 1997. The ship is Spanish-built and launched in 1996. It has a 175m (570ft)-long flightdeck with a 12° ramp. Some of the Bell 214STs are for sale. Refurbished ex-USN A-7 Corsairs are also a relatively new addition. Type No Role A-7E/TA-7E Corsair II 14/4 attack P-3A/UP-3T Orion 2/1 ASW/MR F27-200/400M MPA Dornier 228-212 CL215 S-70B-7 Seahawk Bell 212ASW S-76N Summit Sentry 02-337 U-17B 6 6 5 11 4 ASW ASW trans attack marine liaison KONGBIN THA HAN BO (ROYAL THAI ARMY AIR DIVISION) Like Thailand's two other armed services, the army has been hit by the country's economic collapse. A competition for up to 36 transport helicopters - either Bell 412s or S-70 Black Hawks - to equip an air mobility brigade, was settled by acquiring 30 ex-US UH-1Hs: two UH-60Ls were, however, ordered in May 2001. A planned attack helicopter squadron has been formed around a nucleus of AH-1 Cobras delivered in 1990, although there is some suggestion a further six ex-US Army machines will be delivered alongside the used UH-1s. In-service UH-1s are to be upgraded, with IAI offering the same upgrade as selected by the air force. Procurements to simplify the light transport and trainer/observation aircraft fleets are also on hold. Type No Role A^FCobra^^ 3 attack UH-60L Black Haw Bel^p6AJetRange^^10^^^obs Shorts 330UTT •• trans Jetstream 41 CH-47C/D Chinook C212-300 trans UH-1H Iroquois •oqu 68/30" transA/IP King Air 200 0-1A/E Bird Dog J^7^^^^^^ T-41D Mescalero M7-25 Super Rocket comms comms 18 trng lilii FORCE AERIENNE TOGOLAISE (AIR FORCE) A former French colony, Togo continues to rely on France for its aircrew training. France has also supplied most of its fleet. Type Alpha Jet EMB326G Xavante TB30 Epsilon King Air DHC-5D Buffalo 707-320B F28 Fellowship 3000 Reims-Cessna F337 SA318BLama II SA319 Alouette III AS332 Super Puma No 4 4 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 1 1 Role attack attack/trng COIN/trng comms VIP/trans VIP/trans comms comms liaison VIP Operation of Thailand's AV-8As has been hampered by a lack of funding for spares TONGA DEFENCE SERVICES AIR WING On 4 May 1996, the Tonga Defence Services (TDS) established a new air wing operating a single Beech G18S for reconnaissance and SAR operations around the South Pacific archipelago. In 1999, an American Champion Citabria was acquired for training. TR NIDAD AND TOBAGO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO DEFENCE FORCE AIR WING Trinidad and Tobago's Air Wing has been an indepen dent element of the tri-service defence force since 1977. Its fixed-wing fleet includes single examples of the Cessna 172, Cessna 310 and Cessna 402. Two S-76s and three BO105CBS are operated by a state- owned company, Helicopter Services, which leases the helicopters to individuals and companies, helping reduce the overall cost of running the air wing. www.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 27 NOVEMBER - 3 DECEMBER 2001 71
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