Royal Thai Air Force Prepares for 88th Anniversary Airshow and Fighter Jet Procurement
The Royal Thai Air Force is set to showcase aerial demonstrations by international teams, while also working on procuring Swedish Gripen fighter jets to replace aging F-16s.
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is preparing for a major airshow scheduled for March 7-8, 2025, at Wing 6 in Don Mueang, marking the 88th anniversary of the RTAF.
The event will feature aerial demonstrations by various aircraft, including the RTAF’s F-16, Gripen, and T-50TH jets.
International teams, such as the August 1st Aerobatic Team from China’s PLA Air Force and India’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, will also participate.
Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pathanakul, the RTAF’s commander-in-chief, emphasized that safety would be a top priority throughout the event, with each nation allocated specific time slots for their flight demonstrations.In addition to the airshow, Panpakdee provided updates on the RTAF’s ongoing efforts to replace the retiring F-16 fleet from Wing 1. The RTAF has been reviewing proposals for new fighter jets, with the Swedish Gripen seen as the most suitable option.
The procurement process is focused on performance capabilities, technology transfer, and direct offsets linked to the project’s value.
Panpakdee highlighted that Sweden’s proposal offers offsets valued higher than the cost of the aircraft, a significant advantage for Thailand.
However, the proposal is undergoing careful review, with a dedicated committee working closely with Sweden to finalize details.It is expected that the procurement proposal will be submitted to the Thai Cabinet for approval by April or May 2025, with final documentation and discussions continuing in the meantime.
Panpakdee noted that Thailand and Sweden share a strong relationship, which further supports this collaborative effort in the defense sector.
The event will feature aerial demonstrations by various aircraft, including the RTAF’s F-16, Gripen, and T-50TH jets.
International teams, such as the August 1st Aerobatic Team from China’s PLA Air Force and India’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, will also participate.
Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pathanakul, the RTAF’s commander-in-chief, emphasized that safety would be a top priority throughout the event, with each nation allocated specific time slots for their flight demonstrations.In addition to the airshow, Panpakdee provided updates on the RTAF’s ongoing efforts to replace the retiring F-16 fleet from Wing 1. The RTAF has been reviewing proposals for new fighter jets, with the Swedish Gripen seen as the most suitable option.
The procurement process is focused on performance capabilities, technology transfer, and direct offsets linked to the project’s value.
Panpakdee highlighted that Sweden’s proposal offers offsets valued higher than the cost of the aircraft, a significant advantage for Thailand.
However, the proposal is undergoing careful review, with a dedicated committee working closely with Sweden to finalize details.It is expected that the procurement proposal will be submitted to the Thai Cabinet for approval by April or May 2025, with final documentation and discussions continuing in the meantime.
Panpakdee noted that Thailand and Sweden share a strong relationship, which further supports this collaborative effort in the defense sector.
