Tech transfer part of jet fighter buy

[Nereus]

Do these people expect that just because they can dictate to the Thai population, they can do the same with the rest of the World. These aircraft take billions of dollars to develop, why do the generals think that research will just be handed out to whom ever asks? Training yes, but not proprietary info.
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Tech transfer part of jet fighter buy

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ighter-buy

Air force expects know-how sharing

The transfer of technology is one of the conditions for the Royal Thai Air Force's procurement of jet fighters, according to TAF spokesman AVM Prapas Sornchaidee.

He said the air force's panel studying the jet procurement plan has listed the transfer of technical know-how as part of the offset policy for the fighter jet purchase agreement.

The air force expects the supplier to provide scholarships and training as well as transfer technology in several areas including stealth technology, the use of AI in threat assessment and analysis, target weaponeering, electronic warfare (EW) and access to the EW library, he said.

He noted these technologies are considered advanced military know-how that is tightly regulated by the supplier country but insisted the technology transfer would be part of the purchase programme.

He said the new jets will strength the nation's air defence capabilities and boost its force's security cooperation with other countries in the region, while also creating opportunities for the country to develop its defence industry.

The scheme has received cabinet backing and is scheduled to start in the next fiscal year with a budget of 13.8 billion baht set aside to procure four aircraft.

The force is eyeing fifth-generation fighters, described as having five core features -- stealth along with supercruise, sensor fusion and super manoeuvrability, in addition to synergistic integrated avionics.

Air force commander ACM Napadej Dhupatemiya in December expressed an interest in procuring eight F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin of the United States.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the air force chief is attending a Pacific Air Forces (Pacaf) meeting in Hawaii from March 7 to 13. He is scheduled to meet the Pacaf commander and the jet acquisition scheme is expected to be raised during the visit.

[handdrummer]

Maybe they could buy some used jets from China. They'd just have to do a bit of painting and bodywork.

This country is run by numbskulls.

[Nereus]

But, but, but----we are Thais, we do it our own way:
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F-35 purchase plan still needs US OK

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... eeds-us-ok

Uncertainty remains over whether the United States will approve the Royal Thai Air Force's (RTAF) plan to purchase a fleet of F-35 fighter jets, according to sources.

This is despite the RTAF's move to ask the commander of the US's Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) to throw support behind the procurement plan, one RTAF source said.

The cabinet on Jan 11 approved RTAF's plan to purchase four US fighter jets starting in the next fiscal year with a budget of 13.8 billion baht.

The RTAF source said the matter was raised during a meeting between RTAF chief ACM Napadej Dhupatemiya and Gen Ken Wilsbach, commander of PACAF, during the former's visit to the US, which ended on Saturday.

The two sides discussed a range of topics, including regional security, the pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific region and joint efforts to modernise the RTAF.

This was ACM Napadej's first trip to the US, the source said, adding he introduced himself as the newly-appointed RTAF chief, a customary practice.

ACM Napadej was accompanied by a committee on the F-35 procurement project. During the meeting, the Thai military delegation asked Gen Wilsbach to support the plan by encouraging the US government to sell F-35s to Thailand, the source said.

"The PACAF commander indicated support for the purchase, though there are still a number of procedures to go through," the source said.

"In the end, the US government and Congress will have the final say."

However, according to another RTAF source, the RTAF is unsure whether the US would sell the fighter jets.

He added that even though Thailand is a close non-Nato US ally, this does not mean the US will sell them to the kingdom.

US chargé d'affaires Michael Heath recently said "the F-35 (issue) has never been raised in my meetings with Thai officials".

"The sale of any US defence article or capability follows a consistent decision-making and policy process that is transparent and ensures accountability to the customer and US taxpayers," Mr Heath said.

The purchasing process involves multiple US government agencies, including the Department of Defence.

In most cases, the sale of military equipment requires Congressional review and approval, it said.

In most cases, US government officials are prohibited from advocating a single US defence provider.

To start the formal process for any US defence equipment, the customer must submit a letter of request for price and availability to the US government.

4253427.jpg

Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) chief ACM Napadej Dhupatemiya, left, shakes hands with Gen Ken Wilsbach, commander of the US's Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), during the former's visit to Hawaii, which ended on Saturday. Topics discussed between the two sides included regional security, the pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific region and joint efforts to modernise the RTAF. The Royal Thai Air Force

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[handdrummer]

They could land them on an aircraft carrier that they don't know how to operate.
I'm sure 4 airplanes are a better investment than education, feeding, or housing people.

[Nereus]

Their ignorance is beyond comprehension! I can only hope that the US does them a favour by refusing to sell them the aircarft.
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US help sought on how to pilot F-35As

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... lot-f-35as

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has asked its United States counterpart to send experts to provide knowhow on how to operate fighter jets pending US Congressional approval of the sale of F-35As, says RTAF commander ACM Napadej Dhupatemiya.

The US air force has promised to send experts by the end of this year, he said after presiding over a ceremony to present certificates to 33 RTAF personnel who completed the RTAF's pilot training course.

ACM Napadej said some of these pilots are expected to be chosen to fly the F-35A jets in the future.

He also thanked the House panel vetting the 2023 budget bill for accepting the air force's appeal and restoring the requested funds needed to proceed with the acquisition.

It is now up to the US Congress to decide whether to approve the sale of the jets, ACM Napadej said, adding that after he retires as the RTAF commander on Sept 30, he expects his successor to carry on with the F-35A procurement programme.

One of the criteria for choosing his successor is that the next RTAF chief must be able to carry on with any work that remains unfinished, ACM Napadej said.

On Wednesday, the House committee approved 369 million baht out of 738 million baht sought by the RTAF for its planned purchase of two F-35A fighter jets from the US.

Earlier, a sub-committee on durable products, state enterprises, ICT equipment and revolving funds decided to exclude the air force's request of 738 million baht from the 2023 spending plan.

The panel deemed it to be an unnecessary in the current climate, particularly as it had yet to be approved by Congress.

The air force lodged an appeal but agreed to have the budget slashed by 50%.

The House committee approved an allocation of 369 million baht for the scheme which would cost about 7.4 billion baht with funds to be allocated over the next four fiscal years.

[Big Boy]

And we mustn't forget the other news story https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... th-chinese

When I was on loan to the Iranian Navy (when they were on our side), they had the latest sonar fitted. When they started their journey home, instead of turning left into the Atlantic, they turned right and made a courtesy visit to Russia for a few months.

[handdrummer]

And we mustn't forget the other news story https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... th-chinese

When I was on loan to the Iranian Navy (when they were on our side), they had the latest sonar fitted. When they started their journey home, instead of turning left into the Atlantic, they turned right and made a courtesy visit to Russia for a few months.

I don't know why the US would sell Thailand the jets after these war games.

From who is Thailand protecting itself and who's pocket is the money going into on that deal?

Anyone who wanted to take over Thailand wouldn't have to attack the country, they could just buy it.

[pharvey]

Do these people expect that just because they can dictate to the Thai population, they can do the same with the rest of the World. These aircraft take billions of dollars to develop, why do the generals think that research will just be handed out to whom ever asks? Training yes, but not proprietary info.

You certainly seem to be the most qualified on the subject here on the Forum Nereus.

From my limited understanding after some Internet searching, the F35 is one of (if not the) most advanced fighter jets in the world. With Thailand's connections to China and therein to Russia, why would the US consider for a second selling these jets to Thailand, let alone the technology? Am I missing something here?

[hhinner]

Do these people expect that just because they can dictate to the Thai population, they can do the same with the rest of the World. These aircraft take billions of dollars to develop, why do the generals think that research will just be handed out to whom ever asks? Training yes, but not proprietary info.

You certainly seem to be the most qualified on the subject here on the Forum Nereus.

From my limited understanding after some Internet searching, the F35 is one of (if not the) most advanced fighter jets in the world. With Thailand's connections to China and therein to Russia, why would the US consider for a second selling these jets to Thailand, let alone the technology? Am I missing something here?

Do the people pushing for the acquisition budget care whether the acquisition actually happens? They get a budget then they spend millions on producing requirements, specifications, research documents, etc, all of which need consultants (friends, relatives, etc), middle men, etc, with high prices for which there will be the possibility of commissions going backwards and forwards. When the acquisition ultimately fails there will be bank accounts that have reaped the benefits.

[Nereus]

Yes, by all reports the F35 is about the most advanced fighter in the World. Way beyond what is required in this country. Even if they were to sell them the airframe, there is no way that they would supply any of the latest weapons systems. Without the complete intergrated systems,it is just a high speed sports aircraft.

Many years ago, when I first came here, there was a small Robinson R22 helicopter flying around Bangkok.
It was the same model that I once owned in Australia, and having previously been to the factory in the USA and met the owner, I called them up and asked how it came to be here.

Please, please,please, make contact with this guy, and they gave me a phone number. He is on the phone to us every week asking the most stupid questions about how do we do this, that and this.

It turned out the bloke was an arms dealer, and the helicopter was being operated by the Thai army, although it was owned by a news channel, but they could not maintain it.The army eventualy called in a former Vietnam crew chief that was working for them on Huey helicopters. I spent some time with him, but he was not qualified to work on piston engined machines, and worst of all, he would not listen to me.

I dont know what ended up happening to it, but it either crashed, or run out of hours and was grounded.
And if they did buy an F35, that is also probably where it would end up!

[Dannie Boy]

The report above mentions buying two F35’s, so even if by some miracle the US did agree to sell them to Thailand, they’d be of little use on there own.

[handdrummer]

The report above mentions buying two F35’s, so even if by some miracle the US did agree to sell them to Thailand, they’d be of little use on there own.

This takes us back to hhiner's post. Follow the money.

[pharvey]

The report above mentions buying two F35’s, so even if by some miracle the US did agree to sell them to Thailand, they’d be of little use on there own.

Well yes, but the Chinese are well known for "Reverse Engineering". As Nereus mentions though it appears unlikely the US would provide a full spec aircraft - I guess that's the point.

[Dannie Boy]

The report above mentions buying two F35’s, so even if by some miracle the US did agree to sell them to Thailand, they’d be of little use on there own.

Well yes, but the Chinese are well known for "Reverse Engineering". As Nereus mentions though it appears unlikely the US would provide a full spec aircraft - I guess that's the point.

They’ve already done that with their FC-31
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/07/mee ... f-35-copy/

[PeteC]

The report above mentions buying two F35’s, so even if by some miracle the US did agree to sell them to Thailand, they’d be of little use on there own.

Well yes, but the Chinese are well known for "Reverse Engineering". As Nereus mentions though it appears unlikely the US would provide a full spec aircraft - I guess that's the point.

They’ve already done that with their FC-31
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/07/mee ... f-35-copy/

I hope to hell they have done what they should have been doing by inserting bogus technology in baited plans and specs. Let's see what happens when we throw the kill switch?