Sheet Nation Thailand Today, May 23.5, it was reported that the US had refused a request from the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to buy two F-2 stealth fighters on the grounds that Bangkok was not ready for such sophisticated aircraft. Instead, the US plans to deliver the F-35 Block 16 and F-70 Eagle models to Thailand.
Specifically, an RTAF source said that US Ambassador Robert F Godec met with Thai Air Force Commander Alongkorn Wannarot two weeks ago to personally inform Washington of Washington's decision. According to the source, Godec said that the RTAF does not have the facilities or security measures necessary to receive the fighters.
F-35 stealth fighter
According to the sheet Bangkok PostThe US still leaves open the possibility of selling F-35 stealth fighters to Thailand. Special envoy Godec told Mr. Wannarot that when Thailand is ready, the US will hold another negotiation on the sale of the F-35.
The source said that the RTAF did not suffer any damage from the US decision, other than to pay back 369 million baht (VND 249 billion) that it had withdrawn from the defense budget to buy F-35.
According to weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin, the F-35 can carry about 8 tons of ammunition, engage in air support, tactical bombing, and air-to-air combat. The F-35 also has the ability to combine data from the air and the ground for positioning on the battlefield.
