if it goes as General Prayut Chan-ocha Prime Minister and Minister of Defense guaranteed the case.Subcommittee on Equipment, ICT, State Enterprises and Working Capital House of Representatives Cut the budget for the purchase of weapons, especially fighter planes. F-35 Leaving the budget for the year 2023 is just a political game. Ask the troops to go ahead and clarify the necessity. and believe that the steps from now on will be problem-free
After the meeting of the committee (CAT), equipment, ICT, state enterprises and working capital, chaired by Mr. Sorawut Nuengjamnong, MP for the Chon Buri Phalang Pracharat Party, considered the budget in the part of the Ministry of Defense. All units that have received the budget for the year 2023 have already been completed, with the subcommittee reducing the total budget of the armed forces by regarding 3,000 million baht.
“Army” Approximately 2,000 million baht, divided into the budget in 2023, regarding 300 million baht, the purchase of electric buses, while the other 1,700 million baht is a budget continuation of the budget from the previous year, such as the budget for procuring helicopters.
“Navy” The committee has reduced the budget by 200 million baht, which is the budget related to the submarine procurement project. In the part of sending officers to train the use of submarines Because it was considered that the supply of the submarine still had problems in the engine part.
key highlights “Air Force” The committee has reduced the budget of 700 million baht, which is part of the fighter plane procurement project. F-35A Number of 2 aircraft because the Air Force has not received confirmation fromUnited States whether to sell it or not
In this regard, on August 2, the committee will present the report for consideration.committeeA large group, which the budget receiving unit that has been reduced, can appeal to the High Commission.
It is clear that the AOT has already made an appeal letter. It also confirmed the reason and necessity of the project to purchase two F-35A fighter planes worth 7,400 million baht to replace the F-16 that has been in use for more than 40 years and gradually retired. In the future, if not procured, there will be problems protecting the western airspace.
The Air Force argues that although the F-35A is expensive, if one considers the capability of one F-35A, it can replace three of the aircraft currently in use when compared to the budget required for maintenance. and the cost per flight hour will be close to the retired aircraft and if the supply is delayed The budget must be doubled in order to maintain combat readiness.
If the project is approved It is like a positive power because we are currently in the process of requesting approval fromUS Congress that has prepared a request letter for the procurement of equipment and services related to national security (Letter of Request (LOR for P&A), which must be approved by US agencies in the process of requesting exceptions to the National Disclosure Policy ENDP (Exception to National Disclosure Policy). It is expected that a response will be received within the month of Jan.
another reason The Air Force wants to initiate the purchase of the F-35A in the budget of 2023, seeing it as a golden opportunity that cannot be easily found. This was because it was an auspicious time for large orders from many countries to order more than 3,000 F-35s due to lower prices and international political factors.
If approved, will enter the US Congress at the same time, but if you miss it, you have to queue up to buy a new one in the future. Or even with the money to buy it can be difficult.
For countries that are preparing to purchase additional F-35s, such as the United Kingdom, 138, Italy, 90, Netherlands, 46, Australia, 100, Norway, 52, Denmark, 27, Canada, 88, Israel, 50, Japan, 105, South Korea, 40, Belgium, 34, Poland. 32 aircraft, Singapore, 4-12, Finland, 64
and 3 other countries that are in the process of applying for LOR, consisting of 2 Thai Air Forces, 20 Greek Air Forces, 24 Czech Republic Air Forces, while the Portuguese Air Force and Romanian Air Force are scheduled to buy F-35 to replace the F-16 that will be retired. Active in 2030
The next step Therefore, it depends on the committee. A large set will consider that will be approved according to the appeal letter through the F-35A fighter procurement program according to reasons and necessity The Air Force has clarified or adhering to what the subcommittee proposes to be eliminated from the list of the budget for the year 2023
The concern that The United States will not sell to For political reasons that Thailand has a close relationship with China. If you look back at the interview with Air Chief Marshal Naphadej Thuottemi air force commander at the beginning of last year
“If you don’t hurry now, the price will go up due to the fact that currently there is a search for partners, who uses ours, it’s us, including the market mechanism. bring down the price And he should be glad we’re interested in the F-35.”
This is a guarantee If the project to procure two F-35A fighter jets through the approval process in the Council Royal Thai Air Force will not miss the order process F-35 big lot atcongressBe sure to consider