The air force is seeking a budget of 40 billion baht for fiscal 2024, with the extra money needed for essential aircraft upgrades and replacements, its commander-in-chief said yesterday.
The budget allocation for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) for fiscal 2023 was 36.1 billion baht.
ACM Alongkorn Wannarot said the RTAF needed the extra money for projects that will take years to implement. This need would not change when the new government takes office after the general election, he added.
The air force chief said the RTAF must replace its Airbus A340-500, which has been in service for 18 years. The plane's uses included humanitarian missions, such as the recent assistance for earthquake victims in Turkey. It was due to be decommissioned in 2026, he said.
"We need a replacement, which will be costly. The procurement will take 3-4 years and I would like the public to understand that this aircraft is essential," ACM Alongkorn said.
In fiscal 2024 the air force will also have to upgrade the radar system on its Saab 340 airborne early warning aircraft, the chief said.
The plane's uses included ensuring the safety of delegates to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Bangkok last year. Its radar system is now in need of modernisation, ACM Alongkorn said.
He said the plan to buy F-35A combat aircraft from the United States was included in the air force's 2024 budget submission, but approval by the US Congress is still required. He said the answer is expected by July. The air force is also looking at other options, he said.