List of equipment of the Royal Thai Air Force

The following is a list of Equipment of the Royal Thai Air Force, past, present, and future. Present aircraft PhotoAircraftOriginRoleRTAF DesignationTypeIn serviceTotalNotes Combat aircraftSaab JAS 39 GripenMultirole fighterB.Kh20JAS-39CJAS-39DJAS-39EJAS-39F740 (+3)0 (+1)11 (+4)All C/D received MS20 upgrade. 4 E/F on order 12 E/F plan.General Dynamics F-16 Fighting FalconMultirole fighterB.Kh19F-16A ADFF-16B ADFF-16A OCUF-16B OCUF-16AM MLUF-16BM MLU10112512646Current Main Fighter Jet of the Royal Thai Air ForceNorthrop F-5Multirole fighterB.Kh18F-5THF-5THF1121313 from 33 of F-5E/F upgraded to F-5TH Super Tigris standards. One F-5TH 2-seat (21105) crashed in 2021. All expected to retire within 2031.Dornier Alpha JetLight attackB.J7Alpha Jet TH141414 planned to upgrade to Alpha Jet TH standards. All expected to retired within 2031.Beechcraft AT-6 WolverineLight attackB.J8AT-6TH772 delivered, 1 crashed in training accident Electronic-warfare aircraftSaab 340 AEW&CAirborne early warning and controlB.K1S100B Argus22Equipped with Erieye radar.Saab 340Signals intelligenceB.TL17SAAB 340B SIGINT22Equipped with ELINT/COMINT systems. 21 FEB 2018 Aerial RefuelingAirbus A330 MRTTAerial Refueling—A330 MRTT+0 (+1)0 (+1) ReconnaissancePiaggio P.180 AvantiReconnaissanceB.TL20Avanti II EVO11Fairchild AU-23 PeacemakerReconnaissanceB.JT2AU-23A1414Equipped with EO/IR sensors.Diamond DA42 Twin StarReconnaissanceB.TF20DA42MPP / DA42 M-NG1111Equipped with EO/IR sensors. TransportLockheed C-130 HerculesTactical airliftB.L8C-130HC-130H-306612Upgraded with a new glass cockpit and safety systems. Airbus C295Tactical airlift—C2950 (+2)0 (+2)6-8 plan Basler BT-67Tactical airliftB.L2BT-6788Modified DC-3 used for firefighting/seeding. One lost in 2006. Saab 340 TransportB.L17340B 3 3ATR 72 / VIP/TransportB.L16ATR-72-500ATR-72-600336Boeing 737VIP TransportB.L11737-4Z6 BBJ737-8Z6 BBJ224 Airbus A319VIP/TransportB.L15A319-115CJ11Airbus A320VIP/TransportB.L15A320-200ACJ22Airbus A340VIP/TransportB.L19A340-50011Former Thai Airways (HS-TLC). Sukhoi Superjet 100VIP/TransportB.L18SSJ100-95LR33 Helicopters Bell 412VIP/UtilityH.6412EP662 retired in October 2021. Sikorsky S-92 SuperhawkVIP/Med EvacH.10S-92A55 Sikorsky S-70VIP/UtilityH.12S-70i55 Eurocopter EC725CSAR/UtilityH.11EC725 / H225M12 (+2)12 (+2) Trainer aircraftKAI T-50 Golden EagleLight attack/Lead-in fighter trainerB.KhF2FA-50THT-50TH6814First 4 delivered in April 2018. Cessna T-41 MescaleroTrainer aircraftB.F14T-41D66 PAC CT/4 AirtrainerTrainer aircraftB.F16CT-4A/E2424Diamond DA42 Twin StarTrainer aircraftB.F20DA421818Diamond DA40 Diamond StarTrainer aircraftB.F21DA40NG88Beechcraft T-6 Texan IITrainer aircraftB.F22T-6TH1212 Eurocopter EC135Helicopter trainerH.13H13566 Unmanned aerial vehicle Aeronautics Defense DominatorReconnaissanceBR.T3Dominator XP33Equipped with EO/IR sensors. Aerostar Tactical UASReconnaissanceBR.T1Aerostar BP88Equipped with EO/IR sensors. One lost in the 2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflictTigershark IIReconnaissanceBR.AF1Tigershark IIUnknownUnknown RTAF U-1ReconnaissanceBR.TF1RTAF U11717Equipped with EO/IR sensors. Sapura CybereyeReconnaissance—Cybereye II33Equipped with EO/IR sensors.RTAF KB-2E/MKamikaze UAV—KB-2E/MUnknowUnknowEquipped with Warhead 2kg.RTAF KB-5EKamikaze UAV—KB-5E8080Equipped with Warhead 5kg.RTAF KB-10GKamikaze UAV—KB-10GUnknownUnknownEquipped with Warhead 10kg.UDS Avenger 5Loitering munition UAV—Avenger 5UnknownUnknownEquipped with Warhead 5kg. Earth observation satellite NAPA-1Earth observation satelliteRTAF-SAT-1—11First Thai RTAF satellite. Launched via Vega VV16 in 2020. NAPA-2Earth observation satelliteRTAF-SAT-2—11

Surface-to-air missile Photo Name Origin Role TypeIn serviceTotal Notes Surface-to-air missileBarak MXHigh to medium air defenseBarak ER0 (+2)0 (+2)3 systems plannedKS-1CHigh to medium air defenseKS-1C2 systems2 systemsRBS 70Man-portable air-defense systemRBS 70UnknownUnknownFN-16Man-portable air-defense systemFN-16UnknownUnknownQW-2Man-portable air-defense systemQW-2UnknownUnknown

Anti-aircraft gun Photo Name Origin Role Type In service Total Notes Anti-aircraft gunMauser Mk 30Anti-aircraft gun30mm. Twin AA gun8 8 Type 74Anti-aircraft gun37mm. Twin AA gunUnknownUnknownBofors 40L70Anti-aircraft gun40mm. AA gunUnknownUnknownTwin M2HBAnti-aircraft gun12.7mm. Twin AA gunUnknownUnknown

Armament Photo Name Origin Type Notes Air-to-air missilePython 4/3Short range infrared homing missile120 obtained.AIM-120C AMRAAMBeyond-visual-range missileInitial 50 missiles.Trade Registers Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 2015-05-18. AIM-9E/J/P/M SidewinderShort range infrared homing missile600 missiles obtained. IRIS-TShort range infrared homing missile40 units – employs a thrust vector control motor.MeteorBeyond-visual-range missileFuture operators. Air-to-surface missileRBS 15Anti-ship missile 25 missiles obtained.RampageStandoff weapon 20 missiles to be obtained.AGM-65D/G Maverick Infrared imaging AGM 200 missiles obtained. Air-to-ground weaponryKGGBGPS-guided bomb kit Attached to MK-82.Lizard 3Laser-guided bomb kit Attached to MK-82, MK-84 and MPR500.GBU-10F/B Paveway IILaser-guided bomb2000-poundGBU-12E/B Paveway IILaser-guided bomb500-poundMPR500bunker buster500-poundMark 81 bombLow-drag general-purpose bomb250-poundMark 82 bombLow-drag general-purpose bomb500-poundMark 84 bombLow-drag general-purpose bomb2000-poundBLU-10Napalm bomb250-poundBLU-23/BLU-32Napalm bomb500-poundBLU-27Napalm bomb750-poundMk20 Rockeye IICluster bomb750-poundCBU-71A/BCluster bomb750-poundHydra 70Unguided rocketMK66Unguided rocket

Future aircraft

AircraftOriginTypeVariantOn orderNotes Combat aircraftJAS 39 GripenSwedenMultirole combat aircraft JAS 39E/F(+12) 12 Gripen E/F's have been selected to replace the F-16s of 102 Squadron, Wing 1, Korat Royal Thai Air Force BaseF-5 or Alpha Jet replacementUnknownMultirole combat aircraftUnknownUnknownSet to begin with FY2031 budget according to 2025 RTAF Whitepaper.403 Squadron F-16 replacementUnknownMultirole combat aircraftUnknownUnknownSet to begin with FY2036 budget according to 2025 RTAF Whitepaper. Will be a Fifth-generation fighter. Transport aircraft Airbus A330 MRTT EuropeTransport / Tanker Airbus A330 MRTT+(+1)Set to replace the Airbus A340-500. Contract is expected to be signed by the end of 2025 with delivery commencing in 2028-2029. Airbus C295SpainTransportAirbus C295(+2)Set to replace the Basler BT-67. Delivery is expected in 2029. ATR 72-500 replacementUnknownTransportUnknownUnknownSet to begin with FY2031 budget according to 2025 RTAF Whitepaper. Helicopters Airbus H225M Europe VIP / utility / CSAR Unknown (+2)2 additional H225M Medium Sized VIP Helicopters with utility and CSAR capabilities from Airbus Helicopters ordered

Historic aircraft Aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force and its precursors, the Siamese Flying Corps (1914–1919), Royal Siamese Air Service (RSAS) (1919–1937) and Royal Siamese Air Force (RSAF) (1937–1939).Small Air Force Observer magazine, author unknown, No. 47 July 1988 & No. 50 April 1989

Aircraft typeOriginDesignationRoleService period# usedNotesF-16 Block 15USB.Kh19fighter1988-present530 still in service.RTAF-6ThailandB.TO6trainer 2017-?3 Aeritalia G.222ItalyB.L14transport1995–201263 traded for Saab 340BAermacchi SF.260ItalyB.F15trainer1973–199918locally builtAero Commander 690USB.PhTh4reconnaissance1982–19881Aero L-39ZA/ART AlbatrosCzechoslovakiaB.KhF1trainer1994–202137one L-39 crashed in July 11 2019Airbus A310-324FranceB.L13transport1991–20161Avro 504NUKB.F4trainer1930–194870+50+ built locallyBeechcraft BonanzaUSB.S5transport1951–19623Ex-Royal Thai NavyBeechcraft C-45B/FUSB.L1transport1947–19717First transportBeechcraft King AirUSB.PhTh3reconnaissance1982–19891Beechcraft Queen AirUSB.PhTh2reconnaissance1971–19893Bell 47/OH-13HUSB.H7helicopter1972–19739Bell 206B Jet RangerUSB.H8/B.HPhT1helicopter1982–200671 ex-Thai ArmyBell 212/UH-1NUSB.H6khelicopter1976–19992Bell UH-1 IroquoisUSB.H6helicopter1968–202131Received 31, 18 lostBoeing 100EUSB.Kh7fighter1931–19492comparison testingBoripatraSiamB.Th2bomber1927–19404+local designBreguet 14FranceB.Th1bomber1919–193740+built locallyBreguet IIIFrancen/atrainer1913–?5Bristol BulldogUKB.Kh6fighter1930–19402comparison testingCessna 150USB.Ph1trainer1971–20046Cessna 170BUSB.S7transport1954–19599Cessna 411USB.PhTh1reconnaissance1982–19892Cessna A-37USB.J6attack1972–199420Cessna O-1 Bird DogUSB.T2reconnaissance1967–199054Cessna T-37B/C TweetUSB.F12trainer1961–199622Consolidated PT-1USB.F3trainer1928–19394Curtiss Hawk 75NUSB.Kh11fighter1939–194912ordered 25, received 12Curtiss Hawk IIUSB.Kh9fighter1934–194912Curtiss Hawk IIIUSB.Kh10fighter1935–194974+Curtiss SB2C-5 HelldiverUSB.J3attack1951–19556Ex-Royal Thai Navyde Havilland Canada DHC-1 ChipmunkCanadaB.F9trainer1950–198966de Havilland DH.82A Tiger MothUKB.F10trainer1951–196134Douglas C-47 & EC-47DUSB.L2transport1947–199755B.L2k still in serviceDouglas C-54/DC-4USB.L3transport1959–19662Douglas DC-8-62AFUSB.L10transport1979–19893Eurocopter AS332L-2 Super PumaFranceB.H9helicopter1996–20023Fairchild 24USB.S1transport1938–195013 ca.Fairchild C-123B/KUSB.L4transport1964–199546Fairey Firefly FR.1 & T.2UKB.J4attack1951–195512later target tug GAF N.22B NomadAustraliaB.L9transport/reconnaissance1982–201522Grob G 109GermanyB.R2trainer1989–19942motor gliderGrumman F8F-1 BearcatUSB.Kh15fighter1951–1963207Grumman WidgeonUSB.S6transport1951–19565Heinkel HD 43GermanyB.Kh8fighter1930–19402comparison testingHelio CourierUSB.Th1transport1963–198620Hiller 360/UH-12USB.H2helicopter1950–19525Hoffman H-36 DimonaAustriaB.R1trainer1983–199410 ca.motor gliderKaman HH-43 HuskieUSB.H5helicopter1962–19704Kawasaki KH-4JapanB.HPhT2reconnaissance helicopter1982–19851ex-Thai ArmyLockheed T-33A/RT-33AUSB.F11trainer1955–199654Martin 139WSM & 166USB.Th3bomber1937–1949159 ex-Dutch 166s via JapanMiles MagisterUKB.F7trainer1947–195220Mitsubishi Ki-21JapanB.Th4bomber1940–19499Mitsubishi Ki-30JapanB.J2attack1940–195125Nakajima Ki-27JapanB.Kh12fighter1942–194512Nakajima Ki-43JapanB.Kh13fighter1943–194924Nieuport 17 & 21FranceB.Kh1fighter1918–19274+Nieuport 24bisFranceB.Kh2fighter1918–193212+Nieuport 80FranceB.F1trainer1918–193512 ca.Nieuport 83FranceB.F2trainer1918–193512 ca.Nieuport II & IVFrancen/atrainer1913–?4Nieuport-Delage NiD 29FranceB.Kh4fighter1923–193612+built locallyNorth American F-86F/L SabreUSB.Kh17fighter1961–197274North American T-6 TexanUSB.F8trainer1948–1974220North American T-28DUSB.F13trainer1962–1988120Northrop F-5A/B/C & RF-5A Freedom FighterUSB.Kh18fighter1967–200029Variants in service.PAC CT/4 AirtrainerNew ZealandB.F16trainer1999–201824Percival PrinceUKB.T1reconnaissance1952–19621Pilatus PC-9SwitzerlandB.F19trainer1991-202322Piper L-4 Cub/Piper PA-11USB.S3transport1947–196244PrajadhipokSiamB.Kh5fighter1929–?1local designRearwin 9000USB.S2transport1938–19472Republic F-84G ThunderjetUSB.Kh16fighter1956–196334RFB Fantrainer 400 & 600GermanyB.F18trainer1988–199426Rockwell OV-10C BroncoUSB.J5attack1971–200432to Philippine AFRTAF-4ThailandB.F17trainer1974–198913 ca.locally builtSikorsky S-51/H-5USB.H1helicopter1950–19544Sikorsky S-55/H-19USB.H3helicopter1954–196511Sikorsky S-58/S-58T/H-34USB.H4helicopter1962–200365SPAD VII & XIIIFranceB.Kh3fighter1919–193132+Stinson L-5 & L-5BUSB.S4transport1947–195910Supermarine Spitfire FR.14/PR.19UKB.Kh14fighter1951–195534Tachikawa Ki-36JapanB.F6trainer1942–195024Vought V-93S CorsairUSB.J1/B.F5attack/trainer1934–195084+Locally built/modified

Gallery

See also Royal Thai Air Force Museum Military of Thailand Royal Thai Army Royal Thai Navy

References Notes

Comments

Bibliography

Wieliczko, Leszek A. and Zygmunt Szeremeta. Nakajima Ki 27 Nate (bilingual Polish/English). Lublin, Poland: Kagero, 2004. .

External links

RTAF Official website (English version) Royal Thai Air Force Museum Many Historical Aircraft (English) Illustrated reports about the RTAF Globalsecurity.org