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 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 [3] Eight 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[4] 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.[5][6]

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[7]
Airbus A319  Germany VIP/Transport B.L15 A319-115CJ 1 1[8]
Airbus A320  France VIP/Transport B.L15 A320-200ACJ 2 2[8]
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[9]
Airbus A340  France VIP/Transport B.L19 A340-541 1 1[10] Former Thai Airways aircraft
Helicopter
Bell 412  United States VIP/Utility H.6 412
412SP
412EP 		6 6[1] 2 retired in Oct 2021.[11]
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] .[12]
Sikorsky S-70  United States VIP/Utility H.12 S-70i 5 5[13]
Eurocopter EC135  France Utility H.13 H135 6 6[14]
Trainer aircraft
KAI T-50 Golden Eagle  South Korea Light attack/Lead-in fighter trainer B.KhF2 T-50TH 12 12[12] 2 on order.[12] 14 T-50THs ordered in total. First 4 aircraft delivered in April 2018.[15]
Cessna T-41  United States Trainer aircraft B.F14 T-41D 6 6[12]
PAC CT/4  New Zealand Trainer aircraft B.F16 CT-4A/E 24 24[12]
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[16] 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 [17] 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.[18][19] The satellite was built by Dutch firm Innovative Solutions In Space (ISISpace).[20] 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.[19][21]
NAPA-2  Thailand Reconnaissance RTAF-SAT-2 1 1

Armament

AGM-65 Maverick
Name Origin Type Notes
Air-to-air missile
Python 4/3  Israel short range infrared homing missile 120 obtained[22]
AIM-120C AMRAAM  United States beyond-visual-range missile initial 50 missiles[22]
AIM-9E/J/P Sidewinder  United States short range infrared homing missile 600 missiles obtained[22]
IRIS-T  Germany short range infrared homing missile 40 units – employs a thrust vector control motor[22]
Meteor  Germany beyond-visual-range missile Future operators
Air-to-surface missile
RBS-15F  Sweden anti-ship missile 25 missiles obtained[22]
AGM-65D/G Maverick  United States infrared imaging AGM 200 missiles obtained[22]
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

Gallery

Future aircraft

Purchase Programme

Upgrade Programme

Indigenous Programme

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).[32][33][34]

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 [35]
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

Gallery

See also

References

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

  • Media related to Aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force at Wikimedia Commons
  • RTAF Official website (English version)
  • Royal Thai Air Force Museum Many Historical Aircraft (English)
  • Illustrated reports about the RTAF
  • Globalsecurity.org
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