Opportunities of the Eurofighter Typhoon Fighter Jet for the Royal Thai Air Force

26 Desember 2020

Eurofighter Typhoon Spanish Air Force (photo : Airbus)

The Eurofighter Typhoon is considered to be the most prolific fighter aircraft in production and in use. Is a group of four European nations, co-developers comprising the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) and Great Britain Air Force (RAF: Royal Air Force). The first export customer in the European Union was the Austrian Air Force (AAF: Austrian Air Force, Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte), with 15 machines suffering from high operating costs.

The current export customer outside Europe is the Saudi Air Force (RSAF: Royal Saudi Air Force) amount 72 units, Oman Air Force (Royal Air Force of Oman) amount 12 machines, Kuwait Air Force 28 units and Qatar Emiri Air Force 24 units. It is currently competing in the Swiss Air Force  program and the Finnish Air.Force (Ilmavoimat).

However, Eurofighter has not been successful in Asia-Pacific countries, with the RoKAF (Republic of Korea Air Force) FX program in 2002 defeated by the Boeing F-15K Slam Eagle. Like the Singapore Air Force's A-4SU replacement program (RSAF: Republic of Singapore Air Force) in 2005, it was defeated by the US Boeing F-15SG, likely due to its limited capabilities. The version of Tranche 1 currently proposed for export. Including projects The Malaysian Air Force's MRCA (Multirole Combat Aircraft) (RMAF: Royal Malaysian Air Force, TUDM: Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia) has been delayed.

Eurofighter Typhoon Germany Air Force (photo : O Berg)

The latest developments are in the interest of Indonesian Air Force, (TNI-AU: Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara) to supply a total of 15 Typhoon fighters from Austria. There is still news that Indonesia is interested in 48 French Dassault Rafale fighter jets. First used in Southeast Asia for both fighter aircraft.

And may include a number of fighter jet supply projects of 12 aircraft replacement Lockheed Martin F-16A/B Block 15 ADF for 102 Squadron, Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF: Royal Thai Air Force) as well?

However, in the project to procure a new fighter 1 squadron Thai Air Force  that should start in the fiscal year 2023 if not postponed because of the defense budget cut from the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak.

If the Eurofighter Typhoon is interested in competing in the Royal Thai Air Force program in the future, which country will it represent the Eurofighter Typhoon to Thailand? Because Eurofighter GmbH is a joint venture comprised of four major shareholder companies, the project developer partners are: Airbus Defense & Space Europe branch, Germany and Spain holds 46% stake in BAE Systems, United Kingdom holds 33% and Leonardo Italy holds 21%. As a result, Eurofighter Typhoon exports in each country will have different companies responsible to act as representatives.

Eurofighter Typhoon Italian Air Force (photo : Airbus)

Such as Typhoon exports to Austria, Airbus Germany as representative, Typhoon exports to Saudi Arabia, BAE Systems UK represented, Typhoon exports to Kuwait with Leonardo Italy as representative. The competition for new aircraft procurement programs in many countries is represented by different Eurofighter companies. For example, the Finnish project HX, BAE Systems representing Switzerland's Air2030 program, and Airbus Germany is the representative.

On the other hand, in ASEAN, Malaysia's MRCA program, which has been postponed and is looking to supply light fighter jets instead, is represented by BAE Systems UK, as Malaysia has supplied Hawk 208 jet fighter jets and Hawk 108 fighter jets previously gone.

As for the fifteen Austrian Typhoon aircraft of Indonesia. Not sure if this will be a direct deal between the Indonesian-Austrian government. It is therefore doubtful that if Eurofighter will compete in the Royal Thai Air Force recruitment program, which company will act as a representative?

Airbus, BAE Systems, and Leonardo three companies come to the International Defense & Security Show in Bangkok, Thailand almost every year, but the past has not focused on promoting Eurofighter in Thailand, and if the agency can be identified, the opportunity will be more clearly seen.

Eurofighter Typhoon Royal Air Force (photo : James Ewan)

For example, if Leonardo of Italy was acting as a representative, it would be difficult to win. Because the Royal Thai Air Force seems to have had a bad experience with Italian procured aircraft. Whether it is an AMX attack aircraft with a past and recent transport aircraft G-222, transport and reconnaissance aircraft P.180 Avanti II.

This also includes other potential competitors that seem to have more potential for the Royal Thai Air Force. Both the US F-16V Block 70/72 Viper and the Swedish SAAB Gripen fighter jet. Both the US F-16V and Swedish Gripen C/D/E/F fighters have a significant advantage - the Royal Thai Air Force already has its predecessors. Make model change, pilot training and aircraft mechanic. It is easier to procure weapon systems, equipment, and aircraft base facilities.  Including deals based on Purchase and Development Policy for the development of the Thai aerospace industry as well.

And although the Typhoon can use almost all of the weapons and equipment available in the Royal Thai Air Force, such as the IRIS-T air-to-air missile, AIM-120C AMRAAM and the LITENING III or Sniper ATP targeting pod it is valuable but higher operating costs and more expensive machines.

(AAG)