ID :
298776
Wed, 09/11/2013 - 14:38
Auther :

Royal Thai Air Force targets to become regional leading force by 2019

BANGKOK, September 11 (TNA) - The Royal Thai Air Force has eyed to become a leading force in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by 2019, thanks to its inclusion of Gripen fighters. Thai Supreme Commander General Thanasak Patimapragorn announced the target on Wednesday, when he congratulated the Royal Thai Air Force for its air defence integration. General Thanasak insisted he believes that the Royal Thai Air Force can be a leading air force in ASEAN by 2019 as planned. General Thanasak told journalists that other countries have praised the Royal Thai Air Force's procurement of Gripen fighters, and that it will integrate its information system with the Royal Thai Army and the Royal Thai Navy in the future. General Thanasak said that officers who initiated the procurement of Gripen fighters have broad visions, as the military planes are suitable for their prices and capacities, as well as geographic conditions. According to the Thai armed forces chief, the procurement is aimed at national defence against future threats, not warfare. The Thai armed forces chief acknowledged that the fighters will become part of ASEAN's peace-keeping forces when the ASEAN Community (AC) is formed by 2015. The Royal Thai Air Force has acquired Gripen fighters from, Saab, an established Swedish aerospace company, to replace US-developed F-5 fighters which were decommissioned in 2007. The procurement is to happen in two stages. The first consisted of six Gripen fighters, a Saab 340 AEW airborne early warning and control aircraft and a Saab 340 B1 transport aircraft, which were gradually deployed in 2010 and 2011. The second phase comprises six Gripen fighters and a Saab 340 AEW airborne early warning and control aircraft which are to be gradually deployed this year. (TNA)

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