Thailand signs a contract with Textron Aviation for Beechcraft AT-6

Asia-Pacific, News, US November 15, 2021 , by IRIA No Comments

On November 13, The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) and the U.S. aircraft manufacturer Textron Aviation signed a contract on the first day of the Dubai Airshow for the purchase of Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine aircraft.

The Royal Thai Air Force signed a $143 million contract that includes eight Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine aircraft, the AT-6 spare parts, ground support equipment, and training and other equipment.

According to the media sources, the U.S. firm Textron Aviation will provide Thailand Air Force with an “integrated system” to support the 41st Wing light attack operations at Chiang Mai Air Base.

With the signing of the defense deal, Thailand becomes the first international customer of U.S. light attack aircraft. The development of purchased aircraft will be carried out at Textron Aviation facility in Wichita, Kansas.

According to the company’s statement, Textron Aviation Defense’s training for Thai maintenance professionals is expected to begin in Thailand in 2023, and pilot training will begin in Wichita, U.S., in 2024. The AT-6 aircraft are expected to join the Royal Thai fleet in 2024, the statement added.

*^{An AT-6 aircraft carrying a pair of GBU-12 laser-guided bombs. (Image Credit: Beechcraft/Paul Bowen)}*

AT-6 is an upgraded version of the old T-6 Texas II trainer plane operated by the United States Air Force and Navy. The aircraft is designed to perform light attacks, homeland security, and reconnaissance operations. It is also equipped with a range of ammunition, including the Paveway II laser-guided bomb and AGM-114 Hellfire. Earlier in 2020, Thailand also purchased 12 unarmed Beechcraft T-6C Texan II aircraft from Textron Aviation for $162 million as part of the “Integrated Training System”.

The resident and chief executive officer of Textron Aviation Defense LLC, Thomas Hammoor said “We are honored the Royal Thai Air Force has competitively selected the Beechcraft AT-6 to conduct a broad array of missions in support of its border security and its anti-smuggling, counter-narcotics, and anti-human trafficking operations.”

“The RTAF is a key U.S. safety ally and operator of one of the vital superior air forces in Asia Pacific. Its in depth market analysis and stringent procurement course of sought the alignment of greatest price, schedule, and efficiency to switch its present fleet of getting old Aero L-39 Albatros plane and advance the capabilities of its fleet with the most recent know-how,” Hammoor added.

According to the company’s statement, the AT-6 aircraft deal will support the growth of Thailand’s aerospace industry and is in line with the country’s S-Curve 11 strategy that aims to back the domestic defense industry. The contract for the AT-6 will partly substitute Thailand’s aging fleet of 33 Aero L-39 Albatros aircraft which entered service in the year 1992.

The Thailand Air Force’s chairman of the procurement committee AM Pongsawat Jantasarn said “RTAF pilots and concerned parties found the attributes of the AT-6 procurement program extremely favorable… It will also benefit both Thai and U.S. mutual interests, strengthening the enduring strategic partnership between our nations.”

“The contract also contributes to the growth of Thailand’s aerospace industry detailed in the 10-year Royal Thai Air Force Purchase and Development (P&D) Plan… and empowers RTAF light attack aircrew with a vital technological advantage,” Jantasarn added.