By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT has offered to loan Thailand for a purchase of a squadron of Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, confirmed Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang today (July 4).
During a recent meeting with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, US Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec has offered to provide an unspecified amount of the US government loan for the Thai air force to buy a squadron of F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, Suthin said but stopped short of disclosing conditions and terms of lending.
The US ambassador has apparently lobbied the Pheu Thai-attached prime minister for the air force’s planned purchase of a squadron of the combat-proven fighters which may account for eight units whilst the Thai armed service is only looking to procure half a squadron totalling four units beginning in the next fiscal year and to be followed by the other half in following years.
Given the offered US government loan, the Thai air force could practically procure as many as eight F-16s at a time instead of halving the targeted number of aircraft to buy, according to the defence minister.
Suthin quoted the US ambassador as saying the F-16 manufacturer Lockheed Martin will gladly provide technology transfers in repairs and maintenance of the modern-day, multirole combat aircraft if the Thai air force buys the US-built fighters.
The US ambassador’s latest move apparently followed an earlier meeting between the Thai prime minister and Swedish banker/industrialist Marcus Wallenberg who has lobbied for the Thai air force to buy a squadron of Saab JAS 39E Gripen jets.
The air force has been apparently bound to choose between the US-built F-16 Block 70 which reportedly sells for a flyaway price of US$63 million and the Swedish-built Gripen which reportedly sells for a flyaway price of US$85 million.
The US-built F-16 Fighting Falcon jets are currently deployed at Wing 1 in Korat and Wing 4 in Takhli whilst the Swedish-built Gripen jets are currently deployed at Wing 7 in Surat Thani.
The modern-day, multirole combat aircraft will replace the ageing General Dynamics F-16A/B and F-16 ADF Fighting Falcon fighters as well as Northrop F-5TH Super Tigris currently deployed at Wing 21 in Ubon Ratchathani.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page: F-16 Block 70 fighter jets on show. Top photo: Breakingdefense.com, Front Page photo: Fox Business
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