RTA to Replace AH-1F Cobra Attack Helicopter

04 April 2017

RTA AH-1F Cobra attack helicopter (photo : wingsofsiam)

Another issue that has resurfaced in recent years is the launch of a new attack helicopter by the Royal Thai Army to replace the seven AH-1F in the 3rd Battalion Army Aviation Centers.

Composed of AH-1F, supplied in 1991, 3 machines from the original 4 units (1 unit fall at the north over 10 years ago) and the four units AH-1F EDA repaired in a year 2011.

AH-1F is the same as UH-1H with long life and no spare parts production line. Need to be discharged in the near future.

Chinese Z-10 attack helicopter (photo : pakwheels)

The Army Aviation Center needs 8 new helicopters to fly, but no information is available what type of attack is this now? Attack helicopters are : France-Germany Tiger, Leonardo A129 Mangusta, Italy/Turkish Aerospace Industries T129 ATAK, Russian Mil Mi-28NM and may include with Chinese Z-10.

However, the need to provide new attack helicopters to replace the AH-1F is still in limited budget. The Army needs to supply helicopters for general use, such as the need for AW-149 and Mi-17V5 for new more, etc.

(AAG)