RTAF's AU-23A to be Operational until 2037

29 November 2022

RTAF displayed examples of 12 modernized AU-23A aircraft that were upgraded by Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) and Thailand company RV Connex to be operational for the next 15 years in 2037 (photos : RTAF)

Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Commander-in-Chief Air Chief Marshal Alongkorn Wannarot attended to 50th year of Fairchild AU-23A Peacemaker armed gunship, counter-insurgency and utility transport aircraft of 501st Squadron, Wing 5 that in served since 1972 at Wing 5 RTAF base in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province on 24 November 2022.

RTAF also displayed examples of 12 modernized AU-23A aircraft that were upgraded by Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) and Thailand company RV Connex to be operational for the next 15 years in 2037.

Document from the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering, Royal Thai Air Force on January 12, 202, announcing the support service for the capability improvement project AU-23A, amount 14 machines, amount 60 million baht ($1,998,781) which is operated by Thai Aviation Industries Co., Ltd. (TAI) Thailand and RV Connex Thai Company to improve the cockpit installation with 4 color displays, real-time weather monitoring system and help take off and landed night vision, and other new avionics systems.

Air Chief Marshal Alongkorn Wannarot, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, also gave an interview to the media that 12 AU-23A AU-23As that have been upgraded will continue to be in service for 15 years or about the year 2037, with the condition of the aircraft being inspected every 5 years as well.

At the same time, at the 50th-anniversary ceremony, the second type of attack and administrative aircraft at Wing 5, Prachuap Khiri Khan Thai media also interviewed the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force about the progress of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jet program from the United States.

The Royal Thai Air Force commander also confirmed that the Royal Thai Air Force only selected US F-35A fighter jets to replace the aging Lockheed Martin F-16A/B Fighting Falcon fighter jets. Used for a long time, where 1 F-35 can replace up to 3 F-16s.

However, it has to wait for clarity that the US Congress will approve the possibility of a January-July sale in 2023 and there is no backup plan to look at other fighter jets if the United States does not approve the sale. But if the United States has sent one signal, it will be considered.

(AAG)