The First RTAF Gripen Fly!

First flight for Royal Thai Air Force Gripen

Finally she flying. ^ ^

This is the first of the first batch of six RTAF Gripen ordered in 2008. The aircraft flown in Sweden and the roll-out ceremony is believe to be in 2009. The jet will remain in Sweden for training propose of Thai pilot who will depart for Sweden in summer 2009 and the jet will arrive in Thailand in January 2011.

More Black Hawks are Joining The RTA Fleet

Today’s fleet of Royal Thai Army helicopter are consists of TH-300, Bell 206, UH-1H, Bell 212, Bell 412, CH-47D, and UH-60L.

There once was a plan to replace UH-1H “Huey” by 33 Black Hawk, but the budget crisis from 1997 Asian Financial Crisis forced RTA to cut the number into only 7.

Base on the original requirement in 2006, there is a requirment for 9 utility helicopter, with the helicopter required will be the same standard with Black Hawk.

RTAF First Gripen In Production Line

Photo in AirForce Monthly has a clear Thai flag but this is also OK. ^ ^

It’s a two-seat Gripen. One of the six ordered in the first batch. The jet will be delivered in 2011, a year before a delivery of Saab 340 AEW&C and Saab 340 aircraft.

Detail of Defense Budget Cut!

As my memory told, the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis is so damn bad. The current crisis Thailand facing, it’s hard, but it  can not compare with our previuos one. Maybe Thailand got some immune from the 1997 crisis.

But whatever the case, it’s still hard and now military got an impact by facing an budget cut.

So here are some detail of it.

Gripen Second Batch Row Along The Month!

Yes, there are only news news and news.

The most news publish outside Thailand said RTAF already abadon the plan to buy the second batch.

But the case is that it’s a bit of misunderstanding. In fact, the second batch is just to complete the overall project of 12 jets.

Gripen Batch #2 Update

As you know, Gripen procurement program was splited in to two batch for the financial reason. First batch, consists of 6 Gripens, 1 Saab 340 AEW&C, and 1 Saab 340, was ordered in Fed 2008.

RTAF Gripen Officers Start Training In Sweden

RTAF Gripen Officers Start Training In Sweden

Thank Signatory for the news and Google Translate for Swedish-to-English Translation Tool.

RTAF Children’s Day Air Show 2009 In Don Muang

Show site after the event.

Children’s Day is the nationwide event for children on the second Saturday of Janurary. Here is photo from Don Muang where RTAF Children’s DAy airshow was held.

Thai Armed Force 2008 Year In Review

This page will summarize the procurement program conducted in 2008 divided by each branch of armed force.

History of Japanese Fighter in RTAF and RTN

 

RTAF Nakajima Ki-27 Otsu

 

You would be a bit surprised if you heard that Royal Thai Air Force used to fly the Japanese-made fighter aircraft!

It began during the WWII, when the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) moved into Thailand as a route to enter Burma. Thailand and Japan later signed an alliance treaty and Thailand also declared the war against the allied force.