Thai Armed Force Photo Gallery- RTAF:RTN:RTA:RTP

[QUOTE=hukcuk;2818968]I heard Thai will purchase 12 Gripens.
I understand that but...
some say Sweden is giving 2 radar surveillance planes for [U][B]free[/B][/U].
is that true? can you conform this?[/QUOTE]

Here you might want to read.....:)

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AIR FORCE / PROCUREMENT OF GRIPEN FIGHTERS

[i][b]Chalit insists purchase of Swedish jets appropriate, also the best deal[/b][/i]
WASSANA NANUAM


[b]Air force chief ACM Chalit Phukphasuk insisted yesterday the bid to purchase Saab Gripen jet fighters from Sweden was appropriate, saying the Swedish government offered the best deal.


He also said the jets' capacities suit geographical aspects in the deep South, where they would be deployed. [/b]


The cabinet on Tuesday approved the air force's plan to buy 12 Gripen multi-role fighters from Sweden at a cost of 34.4 billion baht.


ACM Chalit said before seeking approval from the cabinet the air force had appointed a committee to manage the procurement of new jet fighters, intended to replace its aging American-made F-5E fighters.


[b]Before finally choosing the Gripen jets, the committee considered three jet fighter models in total. The two other models were the American-made F16 C/D and the Russian-made SU 30 MK. [/b]


[b]Under the air force's selection criteria, the jets must be equipped with advanced technology with the potential for future upgrades. The technology must be comparable or no less sophisticated than those jet fighters used or to be purchased by governments in neighbouring countries, said ACM Chalit.


The jets must also suit the geographical aspects of military operations in the South, where the jets would be deployed over Thai territorial waters, both in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.


Besides, he said the air force must be able to develop its own control over future aircraft maintenance.
[/b]

ACM Chalit said that the Burmese junta had bought F16 jets but could not get them off the ground at the moment due to sanctions imposed by the US.
[b]

In addition, the aircraft must suit the air force's needs in its attempt to develop a jet fighter command and control system and also a warning system for its future defence operations, he said.


ACM Chalit said Sweden had been more generous in its offer than the US and Russia in attempting to meet all the air force's procurement criteria. [/b]


[u]Besides giving five additional aircraft for free, the producer of the Gripen jets also agreed to give the air force confidential details on the operations of the fighters called ''source code data'' that enables the air force to upgrade the defence capacity of the aircraft on its own in the future. [/u]


[u]Scholarships for air force technicians to be trained exclusively in the maintenance of Gripen fighters were also offered, he said, adding that the US and Russia had not made such offers. [/u]


Gripen-JAS 39C/D aircraft are small jet fighters that are more technologically advanced than the US-made F16 fighters, he added.


[b]ACM Chalit said Sweden would deliver Gripen jet fighters to the air force three years after the procurement contract is signed. Then, air force pilots would need about a year's training to pilot them. [/b]

[url]http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/18Oct2007_news29.php[/url]

Umm....RTAF gonna use Gripen as a F-5 replacement, mate. :) We've got 2 F5s Sqn. and the 701 sqn. will be decommissioned in 1 - 2 year. Another sqn., 211 sqn., we be retired in 5 - 7 years (211 sqn. was upgraded by Israel) This means that we may have to order more Gripen in the future.

But we will keep our 59 Falcons. Maybe if we have money we may conduct MLU on at least 1 Sqn. We will replace F-16 when we have a permission to buy F-35. Suppose in 2030, Gripen will fly along side F-35 in the future.

RTAF have an annual training with USAF, USMC, USN, Singapore AF. (Cobra Gold and Cope Tiger...largest exercise in region) Bianual training with Malaysian AF (Air THAMAL), Indonesian AF (ELANG THAINESIA), Australian AF, France AF (Both in Pitch Black Australia). Gripen will have a chance to meet F-16 Block50/52+, F-15SG, F/A-18A/BC/D/E/F, F-15C, A-10, F/A-18D+, Su-30MKM, Hawk 208, Su-30MK2, Hawk 209, F-111, etc. Good chance to show how good the Gripen will be ..... woot

[IMG]http://img106.mytextgraphics.com/photolava/2007/10/17/a3682707070510031ps1-f7vim916.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img105.mytextgraphics.com/photolava/2007/10/17/x55788260gj6-486r66iff.jpg[/IMG]

My own work

[IMG]http://img107.mytextgraphics.com/photolava/2007/10/17/wallpaper18-f7vike35.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img108.mytextgraphics.com/photolava/2007/10/17/wallpaper19-486r5nwyh.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]



I reluctant to give up these RTAF F-5E/F,bcause these F-5E/F in Burma border (Operation"Border Post 9631", in 2001)& Camboia keep-peace mission (in 1986)to perform well !

[QUOTE=jackie yu;2820682]

I reluctant to give up these RTAF F-5E/F,bcause these F-5E/F in Burma border (Operation"Border Post 9631", in 2001)& Camboia keep-peace mission (in 1986)to perform well ![/QUOTE]

Yes, you are right. We are very please with their performance. But note that we fly those jet for 30 years. Some airframe is almost 40 years old. This sqn. also fly the first F-5B of the world, about 41 years old!!!!

[quote=Skyman;2822168]Yes, you are right. We are very please with their performance. But note that we fly those jet for 30 years. Some airframe is almost 40 years old. This sqn. also fly the first F-5B of the world, about 41 years old!!!![/quote]


Let's battle who will use F-4 and F-5 longer, Thai or ROK :D

[QUOTE=hukcuk;2822331]Let's battle who will use F-4 and F-5 longer, Thai or ROK :D[/QUOTE]

Deal!!!! And I'm sure I'm gonna win :) (last f-5 sqn., 211 sqn., gonna decommission in 5 - 7 years rofl )

i heard, the contract for 6 Gripen is US$ 574 million (it mean about US$ 95 million each plane) ... isn't that too expensive?? to compare it, Indonesia bougt 6 SU-27SKM/30MK2 only US$ 300 million. Malaysia bought 18 SU-30MKM, worth US$ 1 Bill... or maybe maintenance, spare part and weapon include??

[QUOTE=karbol;2822489]i heard, the contract for 6 Gripen is US$ 574 million (it mean about US$ 95 million each plane) ... isn't that too expensive?? to compare it, Indonesia bougt 6 SU-27SKM/30MK2 only US$ 300 million. Malaysia bought 18 SU-30MKM, worth US$ 1 Bill... or maybe maintenance, spare part and weapon include??[/QUOTE]

Yes. At least ERIEYE, Training, weapon will be include in this deal.

[QUOTE=karbol;2822489]i heard, the contract for 6 Gripen is US$ 574 million (it mean about US$ 95 million each plane) ... isn't that too expensive?? to compare it, Indonesia bougt 6 SU-27SKM/30MK2 only US$ 300 million. Malaysia bought 18 SU-30MKM, worth US$ 1 Bill... or maybe maintenance, spare part and weapon include??[/QUOTE]

The new indonesian deal on 335 million USD is a follow on order to their 2003 deal when they bought 4 jets, just like the Thai's plan a follow on order to the first 6 Gripens.

The Erieyes, is worth at least 100 million each. And Thailand is getting alot of support and technology transfer, training of technicians etc so the country will be self-reliant. The deal doesn't sound expensive..

Anyway no one says Gripen is the cheapest jet to buy, it's packed with high tech avionics. The point is gripen is much cheaper to fly per the hour than the competition. Both in fuel costs and service.

[QUOTE=Skyman;2822168]Yes, you are right. We are very please with their performance. But note that we fly those jet for 30 years. Some airframe is almost 40 years old. This sqn. also fly the first F-5B of the world, about 41 years old!!!![/QUOTE]

Me too. Our ROCAF F-5E/F have 33 year use history(1974 - Now).
Northrop to do something our AIDC Company made those Tiger.

In 1984, Northrop to do something South Korea Samsung Aero-Space Enterprise made F-5E/F(before those F-5E/F bought to U.S).

And 2005,South Korea F-5A/B all retired,these F-5A/B to refine by Samsung.

In feature, our ROCAF F-5E/F will to subtitle for any fighter(IDF reformation,or F-16C/D Block 52).

[quote=Skyman;2822425]Deal!!!! And I'm sure I'm gonna win :) (last f-5 sqn., 211 sqn., gonna decommission in 5 - 7 years rofl )[/quote]

2020.. that's when all retires for ROKroflroflroflroflrofl

F-4D (58) : scheduled to retire until 2011
F-4E (69) : scheduled to retire until 2020
F-5E/F (175) : scheduled to retire until 2020

Man! we are also using old M47 and M48 today !! and forever!!

[QUOTE=hukcuk;2822614]2020.. that's when all retires for ROKroflroflroflroflrofl

[/QUOTE]

OK. I'm give up. rofl rofl
[QUOTE=hukcuk;2822614]Man! we are also using old M47 and M48 today !! and forever!![/QUOTE]

Aha, mate This time I win. We still use M41 and M48 and no sign of replacement. woot :D

[quote=Skyman;2822621]

We still use M41 and M48 and no sign of replacement. woot :D[/quote]


OMG M41............ roflroflroflrofl

[quote=signatory;2822605]The new indonesian deal on 335 million USD is a follow on order to their 2003 deal when they bought 4 jets, just like the Thai's plan a follow on order to the first 6 Gripens.

The Erieyes, is worth at least 100 million each. And Thailand is getting alot of support and technology transfer, training of technicians etc so the country will be self-reliant. The deal doesn't sound expensive..

Anyway no one says Gripen is the cheapest jet to buy, it's packed with high tech avionics. The point is gripen is much cheaper to fly per the hour than the competition. Both in fuel costs and service.[/quote]

ok... thx for the explanation..

Thailand please make a display team with the F-5's like the Swiss did :)

[URL=http://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=patrouillesuissematterhnh6.jpg][IMG]http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/8514/patrouillesuissematterhnh6.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]