RTAF will be Equipped with 12 AT-6 Wolverine Attack Aircraft
AT-6 Wolverine (photo : USAF)
The Air Force has announced the winner of a bid for the project to supply eight light attack aircraft, in a specific way procurement of light attack aircraft with equipment, spare parts, support systems, training and other equipment necessary. Which selected the AT-6 Wolverine aircraft from Textron Aviation Defense LLC of the United States. Total amount is 4,314 million baht.
The project is a continuation of the PC-9M procurement programme, with competitors T-6 from Textron, PC-21 from Pilatus, and KT-1 Wongbee from KAI. The T-6 won the competition. The project's plan is to acquire 12 downstream trainers to replace the PC-9M, which had signed a contract in 2020, and to supply 12 attack planes using the same plan as the other 12 trainers. Delivery plan are 8 aircraft in 2021 and 4 aircraft in 2022 to replace the 411 Squadron's L-39ZA/ART which had been retired in March.
Textron's proposal is to allow manufacturers in Thailand to produce up to 40% of the parts to be assembled into aerospace and to do final assembly in Thailand. Thai Aviation Industry Company Limited or TAI, which is a State-Owned Enterprise of the Air Force. It also provides access to the operational flight program to customize, modify and equip the weapon systems the Air Force needs.
TAF
Estos aviones, o acaso los Super Tucanos, podrían dar la talla para reemplazar a los Pucará en funciones de apoyo aéreo cercano, ataque a tierra. No se qué supervivencia tendrían en una ambiente de guerra moderna, con sistemas SAM y AA modernos, pero podrían aportar a la vigilancia de la frontera norte, ya que usar un A4AR para esas funciones es un poco caro. Los Tucanos de la FAA no están capacitados para ser un reemplazo razonable para los Pucará.
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