Royal Thai Air Force: Difference between revisions
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[[C-130 Hercules|C-130]] H/H-30 (12) |
[[C-130 Hercules|C-130]] H/H-30 (12) |
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[[Basler BT-67|BT-67]] ( |
[[Basler BT-67|BT-67]] (8) (Transport aircraft used for [[aerial firefighting]] and [[cloud seeding]]; [[turboprop]]; [[remanufacturing|remanufactured]] [[DC-3#Production|DC-3]] by Basler Turbo Conversions)One airplane written-off in a crash in August 2006. |
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[[GAF Nomad|N22B]] (19) (GAF N22B "Nomad"; [[patrol]] and [[Surveillance aircraft|surveillance]]) |
[[GAF Nomad|N22B]] (19) (GAF N22B "Nomad"; [[patrol]] and [[Surveillance aircraft|surveillance]])Around 6 airplanes still flying. |
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G222 (3) (Italian; Manufactured by Alenia, SPA)(3 further airplanes of this type are in store at Don Mueang RTAFB and it is highly unlikely they will fly again).The new version,the C-27J was demostrated to the RTAF at Don Mueang recently. |
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G222 (6) (Italian; Manufactured by Alenia, SPA) |
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[[BAE Systems|BAE]] 748 ( |
[[BAE Systems|BAE]] 748 (5) (One airplane struck off after a wheels up landing in late 2005) |
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[[Boeing 737|Boeing B737-2Z6]](1) (For Royal Flight) |
[[Boeing 737|Boeing B737-2Z6]](1) (For Royal Flight)(This airplane struck from the active fleet effective 1 October 2006,and now stored at Don Mueang RTAFB). |
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[[Boeing 737|Boeing B737-4Z6]] (1) (For Royal Flight) |
[[Boeing 737|Boeing B737-4Z6]] (1) (For Royal Flight) |
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[[Boeing 737-8Z6]] (1) (For Royal Flight) will delivery in OCT 2006 |
[[Boeing 737-8Z6]] (1) (For Royal Flight) will delivery in OCT 2006.First flew in May 2006,however still not delivered by April 2007. |
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[[Airbus A310|Airbus A310-324]] (1) (For Royal Flight) |
[[Airbus A310|Airbus A310-324]] (1) (For Royal Flight) |
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[[Airbus A319|Airbus A319-115X CJ]] (1) (For Government Business) |
[[Airbus A319|Airbus A319-115X CJ]] (1) (For Government Business)Referred to by cynics as the Billion Baht Airbus.was procured for the exclusive use of the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. |
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===Reconnaissance=== |
===Reconnaissance=== |
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Revision as of 17:23, 11 April 2007
| Royal Thai Air Force Kong Thab Akat Thai | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2 November 1913 |
| Country | Thailand |
| Size | 315 aircraft |
| HQ | Don Muang Air Base, Bangkok |
| Engagements | French-Thai War |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Chalit Pookpasuk |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | L-39, Alpha Jet, AU-23 |
| Fighter | F-16, F-5 |
| Reconnaissance | Lear 35A, Arava |
| Trainer | Airtrainer, PC-9 |
| Transport | C-130, BT-67, Nomad, G222, UH-1 |
The Royal Thai Air Force (Thai: กองทัพอากาศไทย, Kong Thab Akat Thai) is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. As of 2006, the Commander of the Air Force was Chalit Pookpasuk, who was also a Deputy of the Council for National Security that seized power during the 2006 Thailand coup.
Structure
The RTAF command structure consists of five groups: headquarters, logistics support, education, special services, and combat forces.
The headquarters group in Bangkok performs the usual general staff functions, including planning and directing operations of the combat elements.
The logistics support group provides engineering, communications, ordnance, transportation, quartermaster, and medical services support.
The education group coordinates and supervises all air force training programmes.
The special service group is responsible for the welfare of air force personnel and coordinates the activities of Thai civil aviation with those of the air force.
The operational units of the air force are organised into two functional elements: a tactical air command structured and equipped for conventional warfare and an aerial security force trained and geared for counterinsurgency and other internal security missions.
In 1987 the tactical air command had a combat force of one squadron committed to forward ground attack, two squadrons of fighter-interceptors also used for armed reconnaissance, a separate reconnaissance squadron that also served in a training role, three transport squadrons, one utility squadron, two helicopter squadrons, and one training squadron.
By the late 1990s the RTAF Air Power was composed of four regional Air Divisions and a Flying Training School.
- The First Air Division (AD) has its air bases in Bangkok area,
- The Second Air Division is located in the eastern part of Thailand
- The Third Air Division is in the central and northern-provinces
- The Fourth Air Division has its bases in the long stretch of the southern provinces.
- The security force consists of seven counterinsurgency squadrons, equipped with helicopter gunships, and other light aircraft suitable for counterinsurgency operations. Airfield security is provided by four battalions of troops trained in perimeter defence tactics.
Early history
In February 1911 the Belgian pilot Charles Van Den Born displayed the first aircraft in Thailand at the Sa Pathum Horse Racing Course. The Thai authorities were impressed enough by the display that on 28 February 1913 they dispatched three officers to learn to fly in France, at the time a leading aviation country.
The three officers (Major Luang Sakdi Sanlayawut (Sunee Suwanprateep), Captain Luang Arwut Sikikorn (Long Sinsuk) and First Lieutenant Tip Ketuthat) learnt to fly and on 2 November 1913 returned to Thailand with eight aircraft (four Breguets and four Nieuports). They are today regarded as the forefathers of the Royal Thai Air Force. In March of the next year they moved from Sa Patham airfield to Don Muang.
The Ministry of Defence put the early air force under the control of the Army Engineer Inspector General Department.
During the French-Thai War, the Thai Air Force scored several air-to-air-victories against the Vichy French Armée de l'Air.
Royal Thai Air Force Bases
The Royal Thai Air Force maintains a number of modern bases from which it conducts its administrative, transport, and training operations. The bases, which were constructed between 1954 and 1968, have permanent buildings, sophisticated ground support equipment, and some of the best runways in Asia.
All but one were part of the network of airfields built and used by United States forces until their withdrawal from Thailand in 1976. Consolidating the equipment left by the departing units in accordance with government-to-government agreements, the Thai air force assumed use of the installations at Takhli and Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat).
In the late 1980s, these bases and Don Muang Air Base outside Bangkok, which the air force shares with civil aviation, remains the primary operational holdings.
Maintenance of the facilities at other bases abandoned by the United States proved too costly and exceeded Thai needs. Nonetheless, all runways were still available for training and emergency use.
By 2004 the Royal Thai Air Force had its main base at Don Muang airport, adjacent to Bangkok's International Airport. The RTAF also had large air fields and facilities at Nakon Ratchasima Ubon Ratchathani, and Takhli.
| RTAFB | Location |
|---|---|
| Don Muang (Ex-BKK airport) | Bangkok |
| Chiangkham | Chiang Mai |
| Kamphaeng Saen | Nakhon Pathom |
| Ubon | Ubon Ratchathani |
| Udon | Udon Thani |
| Khorat | Nakhon Ratchasima |
| Prachuap Khiri Khan | Prachuap Khiri Khan |
| Takhli | Nakhon Sawan |
| Hat Yai | Songkhla |
Jet fighter purchase under review WASSANA NANUAM
Air force chief Chalit Phukphasuk is reviewing the jet fighter procurement plan, saying he is now free to decide what is best for the air force.
The air force is considering several options, including F-16s from the US and JAS-39 Gripen jets from Sweden, to replace its ageing F-16 and F-5 jet fighters, he said. ACM Chalit said the air force had been under pressure to purchase Russian SU-30 fighters when the Thaksin government was in power. "Now there is no pressure for us to go for the SU-30s," he said.
The air force's choice was likely to be dictated by its budget and its needs. The purchase would be undertaken in the next fiscal year.
"Each of the jet models is fine, but we have to pick one that best fits our requirements," ACM Chalit said.
It was reported that he was opposed to the large Russian aircraft from the start because they were too big, too fast and fuel hungry.
But he bowed to pressure to include them in the list for consideration following a report that Thaksin Shinawatra, then prime minister, would replace him if he failed to strike the deal with Moscow. Russia tried to sweeten the sale by offering the air force eight MI-17 helicopters for free and annual training for 30 Thai officers. The air force eventually set up a special panel to consider the Russian option. The deal was to have been made on a barter basis with Bangkok giving farm produce, mainly chicken, to Russia in return for the fighters.
from bangkok post 27 feb 2007
Aircraft in Commission
Fighter/Attacker
F-16 A/B/ADF (59 + 2 hulks)
F-5 A/B/E/F (46) (F-5 A have retired from the fleet)
L-39 ZA/ART (34)
Alpha Jet (20, only 19 in use after a crash)
AU-23 A (21) [1] ("Peacemaker", turboprop, manufactured by Fairchild )
Transportation
C-130 H/H-30 (12)
BT-67 (8) (Transport aircraft used for aerial firefighting and cloud seeding; turboprop; remanufactured DC-3 by Basler Turbo Conversions)One airplane written-off in a crash in August 2006.
N22B (19) (GAF N22B "Nomad"; patrol and surveillance)Around 6 airplanes still flying.
G222 (3) (Italian; Manufactured by Alenia, SPA)(3 further airplanes of this type are in store at Don Mueang RTAFB and it is highly unlikely they will fly again).The new version,the C-27J was demostrated to the RTAF at Don Mueang recently.
BAE 748 (5) (One airplane struck off after a wheels up landing in late 2005)
Boeing B737-2Z6(1) (For Royal Flight)(This airplane struck from the active fleet effective 1 October 2006,and now stored at Don Mueang RTAFB).
Boeing B737-4Z6 (1) (For Royal Flight)
Boeing 737-8Z6 (1) (For Royal Flight) will delivery in OCT 2006.First flew in May 2006,however still not delivered by April 2007.
Airbus A310-324 (1) (For Royal Flight)
Airbus A319-115X CJ (1) (For Government Business)Referred to by cynics as the Billion Baht Airbus.was procured for the exclusive use of the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Reconnaissance
Lear Jet 35A (2, only one in use after a crash)
IAI201 (3)
Helicopter
UH-1 Iroquois (20)
Bell-412 SP (3) For Royal Flight
Training
CT-4E (20)
Pilatus PC-9 (23)
See also
External links
- Royal Thai Air Force
- Royal Thai Air Force Museum Many Historical Aircraft Here (English Page available)
- RTAF Aircraft Photos
- Reports with drawings and pictures about the Royal Thai Air Force