Royal Thai Army Planning to Buy ‘Gulfstream G500’ for $US42 Million

25 Juli 2020

Gulfstream G500 aircraft (photo : Gulfstream)

The Royal Thai Army is planning to buy a $US42 Million ‘Gulfstream G500’ in the 2021 fiscal year, according to a source in the Army Transportation Department. The announcement was made after a document showing the army’s plan to procure a medium-sized aircraft circulated online.

The $US42 Million purchase of the Gulfstream G500 of the was initially part of the 2020 fiscal year budget. However it was postponed to 2021 over the coronavirus pandemic, the source told the Bangkok Post.

The new Gulfstream G500 , which is likely to be bought from Gulfstream Aerospace, will replace the current Beechcraft 1900yf. Which has been in use for  more than 30 years, to transport the army and VIPs.

The manufacturer of the Beechcraft earlier informed the army that it had stopped making the plane.Now spare parts would no longer be available. This prompted the army to consider a replacement with the Gulfstream G500.

The source added that the purchase had also been approved by a screening committee.

See full article ChiangRaiTimes