TSAMTO, November 16. The Thai Air Force Command has signed a contract with the American company Textron Aviation Defense for the supply of eight AT-6E "Volverin" light combat aircraft.
The contract also provides for the supply of ground support equipment, spare parts and training of personnel.
The sale cost was $143.4 million. Thus, the Thai Air Force became the first foreign customer of an American light attack aircraft, which in Thailand will receive the designation AT-6TH. According to the terms of the contract, the work will be performed at the Textron Aviation enterprise in Wichita (pcs.Kansas).
According to Thomas Hammur, President and Chief Executive Officer of Textron Aviation Defense, the Thai Air Force has chosen the AT-6 to perform a wide range of tasks, including border security, combating smuggling, drug trafficking and human trafficking. The new aircraft will replace the outdated L-39 "Albatross".
The American company said that the contract will contribute to the growth of the capabilities of the aerospace industry in Thailand in accordance with the 10-year procurement and development plan of the Thai Air Force and the country's defense industry development strategy.
The training of Thai technical specialists in aircraft maintenance will begin in Thailand in 2023, and the training of flight personnel will take place in Wichita (pcs.Kansas), starting in 2024. The statement states that the AT-6 will be adopted by the Thai Air Force in 2024. They will be part of the 411 Squadron of the 41st Air Wing, stationed at Chiang Mai Air Base.
As previously reported by TSAMTO, in September 2020, Textron Aviation Defense (a division of Textron Inc.) signed a contract with the Thai Air Force Command to create an integrated training system for use at the Thai Air Force Flight Training School (Kampheng Saen Air Base). The agreement worth $162 million provides for the supply of 12 advanced training aircraft T-6C "Texan-2", other related equipment and services.
Delivery of the Texan-2 T-6C, which received the national designation T-6TH, is scheduled for late 2022 - early 2023. It is assumed that the first two aircraft will fly to Thailand from the United States, and the rest will be assembled from machine kits at the Kampheng Saen Air base.
The unification of the T-6C with the AT-6E "Volverin" is about 85%, which will simplify operation, as well as reduce maintenance costs and spare parts supply.
