TSAMTO, April 26. On April 23, the Thai government and representatives of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) reached an agreement on additional deliveries of the T-50TH TCB and improvement of the flight training system using previously received machines of this type.
As reported by News1.kr with reference to the statement of KAI, after final approval, it is planned to conclude two separate contracts concerning the supply of two new aircraft and unnamed components of the flight training system.
Earlier, in April 2020, the Thai government decided to abandon the acquisition of two additional advanced T-50TH jet training aircraft manufactured by the South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries. The decision to abandon the purchase was made in connection with the redirection of funds from the defense budget to overcome the crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
As already reported by TSAMTO, in September 2015, the Thai Air Force command concluded an agreement with Korea Aerospace Industries for the supply of the first four T-50TH TCBMs. Their cost is estimated at 3.7 billion rubles. baht ($110 million). In July 2017, the Thai government approved the Air Force's request to supply eight more T-50THS under the option. The contract for the supply of aircraft was signed with KAI on July 29, 2017. The sale price is estimated at $ 8.8 billion. baht ($258 million).
The delivery of the TCF to the Thai Air Force began in January 2018. In April 2018, the first four T-50THS were officially put into service. It was assumed that all the aircraft would be delivered by the end of 2020.
In February 2020, the Thai Air Force published a "White Paper on Defense", which is a plan for the purchase and modernization of weapons in the near future. One of the items was the purchase of two additional T-50TN by 2022.
