List of equipment of the Royal Thai Air Force

Last updated

The following is a list of Equipment of the Royal Thai Air Force , past, present, and future.

Contents

PhotoAircraftOriginRoleRTAF DesignationTypeIn ServiceTotalNotes
Combat aircraft
RTAF JAS39C 70108.jpg Saab JAS 39 Gripen Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Multirole fighter B.Kh20JAS-39C
JAS-39D
JAS-39E
JAS-39F
7
4
0(+3)
0(+1)
11(+4) [1] All C/D received MS20 upgrade. E/F variants on order. [2]
RTAF F-16A Block15OCU 103SQN.jpg General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon Flag of the United States.svg United States Multirole fighter B.Kh19
F-16A ADF1147 [3]
F-16B ADF1
F-16A OCU12
F-16B OCU5
F-16AM MLU12
F-16BM MLU6
F-5 211 Sqn.jpg Northrop F-5 Flag of the United States.svg United States Multirole fighter B.Kh18F-5TH
F-5THF
11
2
13 [1] 13 from 33 of F-5E/F upgraded to F-5TH Super Tigris standards. [4] One F-5TH 2-seat (21105) crashed in 2021. [5] [6] All expected to retire within 2031.[ citation needed ]
B.J7-14 44 (23134) (25349237567).jpg Dornier Alpha Jet Flag of Germany.svg Germany Light attack B.J7Alpha Jet TH1414 [1] 14 planned to upgrade to Alpha Jet TH standards. [4] All expected to retire within 2031.[ citation needed ]
AT-6TH.jpg Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine Flag of the United States.svg United States Light attack B.J8AT-6TH88 [7]
Electronic-warfare aircraft
RTAF Saab340aew (cropped).jpg Saab 340 AEW&C Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Airborne early warning and control B.K1S100B Argus22 [1] Equipped with Erieye radar.
SAAB 340B of the Royal Thai Air Force at Khon Kaen (27533991170).jpg Saab 340 Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Signals intelligence B.TL17SAAB 340B SIGINT22Equipped with ELINT/COMINT systems. [8]
Aerial Refueling
RSAF A330 MRTT 760.jpg A330 MRTT Flag of Europe.svg European Union Aerial Refueling A330 MRTT0(+1)0(+1) [9]
Reconnaissance
B.JTh2-18-19 (42077) (28107184349).jpg Fairchild AU-23 Peacemaker Flag of the United States.svg United States Reconnaissance B.JT2AU-23A1414 [1] Equipped with EO/IR sensors.[ citation needed ]
P180 avanti ii.jpg Piaggio P.180 Avanti Flag of Italy.svg Italy Reconnaissance B.TL20Avanti II EVO11 [1]
Paris Air Show 2019 - Le Bourget (48114007363).jpg Diamond DA42 Flag of Austria.svg Austria Reconnaissance B.TF20DA42MPP / DA42 M-NG1414 [1] Equipped with EO/IR sensors.[ citation needed ]
Transport
B.L8-6-31 (60106) (39855217812).jpg Lockheed C-130 Hercules Flag of the United States.svg United States Tactical airlift B.L8C-130H
C-130H-30
6
6
12 [1] Upgraded with a new glass cockpit and safety systems. [10]
RTAF Basler BT-67.JPG Basler BT-67 Flag of the United States.svg United States Tactical airlift B.L2BT-6777 [1] Modified DC-3 used for firefighting/seeding. One lost in 2006.[ citation needed ]
SAAB 340B 70205 (38078286582).jpg Saab 340 Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden Transport B.L17 340B 33 [1]
Royal Thai Air Force ATR ATR-72-500.jpg ATR 72 Flag of France.svg France / Flag of Italy.svg Italy VIP/Transport B.L16 ATR-72-500
ATR-72-600
3
3
6 [11]
HS-HRH (2558695532).jpg Boeing 737 Flag of the United States.svg United States VIP Transport B.L11 737-4Z6 BBJ
737-8Z6 BBJ
2
2
4 [12]
HS-TYR 60202, Khon Kaen, Thailand, 13-11-14.jpg Airbus A319 Flag of Germany.svg Germany VIP/Transport B.L15 A319-115CJ 11 [13]
Airbus A320(SL) of the Royal Thai Air Force performing a touch & go on rwy.03 at Khon Kaen.jpg Airbus A320 Flag of France.svg France VIP/Transport B.L15 A320-200ACJ 22 [13]
A340-500 RTAF Children's Day.jpg Airbus A340 Flag of France.svg France VIP/Transport B.L19 A340-500 11Former Thai Airways (HS-TLC)
Royal Thai Air Force, 60317, Sukhoi Superjet 100-95LR (32719292647).jpg Sukhoi Superjet 100 Flag of Russia.svg Russia VIP/Transport B.L18 SSJ100-95LR 33 [14]
Helicopter
B.H6Kh-2-25 (33039) (39855218282).jpg Bell 412 Flag of the United States.svg United States VIP/Utility H.6412 / 412SP / 412EP611 [1] 2 retired in October 2021. [15]
Royal Thai Air Force Sikorsky S-92 (cropped).png Sikorsky S-92 Superhawk Flag of the United States.svg United States VIP/Med Evac H.10S-92A55 [1]
Royal Thai Air Force S-70i, Childrens Day 2025.png Sikorsky S-70 Flag of the United States.svg United States VIP/Utility H.12S-70i55 [16]
B.H11-5-59 (20305) (39855216652).jpg Eurocopter EC725 Flag of France.svg France CSAR/Utility H.11EC725 / H225M1212 [1]
Trainer aircraft
T-50TH preparing to return to the air base.jpg KAI T-50 Golden Eagle Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea Light attack/Lead-in fighter trainer B.KhF2FA-50TH
T-50TH
4
10
14 [1] First 4 delivered in April 2018. [17]
B.F14-2-11 (60421-8967 (26014442178).jpg Cessna T-41 Mescalero Flag of the United States.svg United States Trainer aircraft B.F14T-41D66 [18]
B.F16-002-17 (60433-02) (26014441388).jpg PAC CT/4 Airtrainer Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand Trainer aircraft B.F16CT-4A/E2424 [18]
B.F20-6-52 (60451 & 6.) (14188233903).jpg Diamond DA42 Flag of Austria.svg Austria Trainer aircraft B.F20DA421818 [1]
DA 40NG rtaf static display 2024.jpg Diamond DA40 Flag of Austria.svg Austria Trainer aircraft B.F21DA40NG88
LINE ALBUM Children's Day 2024 240114 48.jpg Beechcraft T-6 Texan II Flag of the United States.svg United States Trainer aircraft B.F22T-6TH1212 [1]
RAF Airbus EC135T3 (JUNO HT1) Helicopter MOD 45165495.jpg Eurocopter EC135 Flag of France.svg France Helicopter trainer H.13H13566 [19]
Unmanned aerial vehicle
4X-UAG-BIAF 117.jpg Aeronautics Defense Dominator Flag of Israel.svg Israel Reconnaissance BR.T3Dominator XP33
Military parade 2018 12.jpg Aerostar Tactical UAS Flag of Israel.svg Israel Reconnaissance BR.T1Aerostar BPunknownunknownEquipped with EO/IR sensors.[ citation needed ]
NASC TigerShark XP (6-26-2024).jpg Tigershark IIFlag of Thailand.svg Thailand Reconnaissance BR.AF1Tigershark IIunknownunknown
RTAF U-1M.jpg RTAF U-1 Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand Reconnaissance BR.TF1RTAF U1
RTAF U1-M
17
3
17
3
Equipped with EO/IR sensors.
Three can be armed.
UAV Pegaz.jpg Sapura CybereyeFlag of Malaysia.svg Malaysia Reconnaissance Cybereye II33 [20] Equipped with EO/IR sensors.[ citation needed ]
Earth observation satellite
A CubeSat is ejected into Earth orbit from a small satellite orbital deployer (iss072e351732).jpg NAPA-1 Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand Earth observation satellite RTAF-SAT-111First Thai RTAF satellite. Launched via Vega VV16 in 2020. [21] [22] [23]
Aalto-1, flight model (4).JPG NAPA-2 Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand Earth observation satellite RTAF-SAT-211

Armament

NameOriginTypeNotes
Air-to-air missile
Python 4/3 Flag of Israel.svg Israel short range infrared homing missile 120 obtained [24]
AIM-120C AMRAAM Flag of the United States.svg United States beyond-visual-range missile initial 50 missiles [24]
AIM-9E/J/P/M Sidewinder Flag of the United States.svg United States short range infrared homing missile 600 missiles obtained [24]
IRIS-T Flag of Germany.svg Germany short range infrared homing missile 40 units – employs a thrust vector control motor [24]
Meteor Flag of France.svg France beyond-visual-range missile Future operators
Air-to-surface missile
RBS 15 Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden anti-ship missile 25 missiles obtained [24]
AGM-65D/G Maverick Flag of the United States.svg United States infrared imaging AGM 200 missiles obtained [24]
Air-to-ground weaponry
KGGB Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea GPS-guided bomb kitattached to MK-82
Lizard 3 Flag of Israel.svg Israel laser-guided bomb kitattached to MK-82, MK-83, MK-84
GBU-10F/B Paveway II Flag of the United States.svg United States laser-guided bomb 2000-pound
GBU-12E/B Paveway II Flag of the United States.svg United States laser-guided bomb 500-pound
Mark 81 bomb Flag of the United States.svg United States low-drag general-purpose bomb 250-pound
Mark 82 bomb Flag of the United States.svg United States low-drag general-purpose bomb 500-pound
Mark 83 bomb Flag of the United States.svg United States low-drag general-purpose bomb 1000-pound
Mark 84 bomb Flag of the United States.svg United States low-drag general-purpose bomb 2000-pound
BLU-10Flag of the United States.svg United States Napalm bomb 250-pound
BLU-23/BLU-32Flag of the United States.svg United States Napalm bomb 500-pound
BLU-27Flag of the United States.svg United States Napalm bomb 750-pound
Mk20 Rockeye II Flag of the United States.svg United States cluster bomb 750-pound
CBU-71A/B Flag of the United States.svg United States cluster bomb 750-pound
Hydra 70 Flag of the United States.svg United States unguided rocket
MK66Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand unguided rocket

Future aircraft

Purchase Programme

Upgrade Programme

Indigenous Programme

Historic aircraft

Aircraft of the Royal Thai Air Force and its precursors, the Siamese Flying Corps (1914–1919), Royal Siamese Air Service (RSAS) (1919–1937) and Royal Siamese Air Force (RSAF) (1937–1939). [34] [35] [36]

Aircraft typeOriginDesignationRoleService period# usedNotes
F-16 Block 15 USB.Kh19fighter1988-present530 still in service.
RTAF-6 ThailandB.TO6trainer2017-?3
Aeritalia G.222 ItalyB.L14transport1995–201263 traded for Saab 340B
Aermacchi SF.260 ItalyB.F15trainer1973–199918locally built
Aero Commander 690 USB.PhTh4reconnaissance1982–19881
Aero L-39ZA/ART Albatros CzechoslovakiaB.KhF1trainer1994–202137
Airbus A310-324 FranceB.L13transport1991–20161
Avro 504N UKB.F4trainer1930–194870+50+ built locally
Beechcraft Bonanza USB.S5transport1951–19623Ex-Royal Thai Navy
Beechcraft C-45B/F USB.L1transport1947–19717First transport
Beechcraft King Air USB.PhTh3reconnaissance1982–19891
Beechcraft Queen Air USB.PhTh2reconnaissance1971–19893
Bell 47/OH-13H USB.H7helicopter1972–19739
Bell 206B Jet Ranger USB.H8/B.HPhT1helicopter1982–200671 ex-Thai Army
Bell 212/UH-1N USB.H6khelicopter1976–19992
Bell UH-1 Iroquois USB.H6helicopter1968–202131Received 31, 18 lost
Boeing 100E USB.Kh7fighter1931–19492comparison testing
Boripatra SiamB.Th2bomber1927–19404+local design
Breguet 14 FranceB.Th1bomber1919–193740+built locally
Breguet III Francen/atrainer1913–?5
Bristol Bulldog UKB.Kh6fighter1930–19402comparison testing
Cessna 150 USB.Ph1trainer1971–20046
Cessna 170B USB.S7transport1954–19599
Cessna 411 USB.PhTh1reconnaissance1982–19892
Cessna A-37 USB.J6attack1972–199420
Cessna O-1 Bird Dog USB.T2reconnaissance1967–199054
Cessna T-37B/C Tweet USB.F12trainer1961–199622
Consolidated PT-1 USB.F3trainer1928–19394
Curtiss Hawk 75N USB.Kh11fighter1939–194912ordered 25, received 12
Curtiss Hawk II USB.Kh9fighter1934–194912
Curtiss Hawk III USB.Kh10fighter1935–194974+
Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver USB.J3attack1951–19556Ex-Royal Thai Navy
de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk CanadaB.F9trainer1950–198966
de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth UKB.F10trainer1951–196134
Douglas C-47 & EC-47D USB.L2transport1947–199755B.L2k still in service
Douglas C-54/DC-4 USB.L3transport1959–19662
Douglas DC-8-62AF USB.L10transport1979–19893
Eurocopter AS332L-2 Super Puma FranceB.H9helicopter1996–20023
Fairchild 24 USB.S1transport1938–195013 ca.
Fairchild C-123B/K USB.L4transport1964–199546
Fairey Firefly FR.1 & T.2 UKB.J4attack1951–195512later target tug
GAF N.22B Nomad AustraliaB.L9transport/reconnaissance1982–201522 [37]
Grob G 109 GermanyB.R2trainer1989–19942motor glider
Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat USB.Kh15fighter1951–1963207
Grumman Widgeon USB.S6transport1951–19565
Heinkel HD 43 GermanyB.Kh8fighter1930–19402comparison testing
Helio Courier USB.Th1transport1963–198620
Hiller 360/UH-12 USB.H2helicopter1950–19525
Hoffman H-36 Dimona AustriaB.R1trainer1983–199410 ca.motor glider
Kaman HH-43 Huskie USB.H5helicopter1962–19704
Kawasaki KH-4 JapanB.HPhT2reconnaissance helicopter1982–19851ex-Thai Army
Lockheed T-33A/RT-33A USB.F11trainer1955–199654
Martin 139WSM & 166 USB.Th3bomber1937–1949159 ex-Dutch 166s via Japan
Miles Magister UKB.F7trainer1947–195220
Mitsubishi Ki-21 JapanB.Th4bomber1940–19499
Mitsubishi Ki-30 JapanB.J2attack1940–195125
Nakajima Ki-27 JapanB.Kh12fighter1942–194512
Nakajima Ki-43 JapanB.Kh13fighter1943–194924
Nieuport 17 & 21 FranceB.Kh1fighter1918–19274+
Nieuport 24bis FranceB.Kh2fighter1918–193212+
Nieuport 80 FranceB.F1trainer1918–193512 ca.
Nieuport 83 FranceB.F2trainer1918–193512 ca.
Nieuport II & IV Francen/atrainer1913–?4
Nieuport-Delage NiD 29 FranceB.Kh4fighter1923–193612+built locally
North American F-86F/L Sabre USB.Kh17fighter1961–197274
North American T-6 Texan USB.F8trainer1948–1974220
North American T-28D USB.F13trainer1962–1988120
Northrop F-5A/B/C & RF-5A Freedom Fighter USB.Kh18fighter1967–200029Variants in service.
PAC CT/4 Airtrainer New ZealandB.F16trainer1999–201824
Percival Prince UKB.T1reconnaissance1952–19621
Pilatus PC-9 SwitzerlandB.F19trainer1991-202322
Piper L-4 Cub/Piper PA-11 USB.S3transport1947–196244
Prajadhipok SiamB.Kh5fighter1929–?1local design
Rearwin 9000 USB.S2transport1938–19472
Republic F-84G Thunderjet USB.Kh16fighter1956–196334
RFB Fantrainer 400 & 600 GermanyB.F18trainer1988–199426
Rockwell OV-10C Bronco USB.J5attack1971–200432to Philippine AF
RTAF-4 ThailandB.F17trainer1974–198913 ca.locally built
Sikorsky S-51/H-5 USB.H1helicopter1950–19544
Sikorsky S-55/H-19 USB.H3helicopter1954–196511
Sikorsky S-58/S-58T/H-34 USB.H4helicopter1962–200365
SPAD VII & XIII FranceB.Kh3fighter1919–193132+
Stinson L-5 & L-5B USB.S4transport1947–195910
Supermarine Spitfire FR.14/PR.19 UKB.Kh14fighter1951–195534
Tachikawa Ki-36 JapanB.F6trainer1942–195024
Vought V-93S Corsair USB.J1/B.F5attack/trainer1934–195084+Locally built/modified

See also

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "World Air Forces 2025". FlightGlobal. 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  2. Charpentreau, Clement (25 August 2025). "Thailand signs first order for 4 Saab Gripen E/F fighters, deliveries from 2025". AeroTime.
  3. data July 2025
  4. 1 2 3 "กองทัพอากาศไทย มีเครื่องบินรบกี่ลำ (ในปี 64-68)". ThaiArmedForce. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  5. 1 2 Carter, Ann (6 December 2021). "A bird strike may have caused Royal Thai Air Force F-5 fighter jet's recent crashing". The Thaiger. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  6. 1 2 "F-5 ของกองทัพอากาศตกที่ชัยบาดาล นักบินดีดตัวสำเร็จ บาดเจ็บ". ThaiArmedForce. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  7. "Royal Thai Air Force Becomes International Launch Customer For U.S. Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine - The Aviationist". 14 November 2021.
  8. 21 FEB 2018
  9. "กองทัพอากาศไทยเตรียมจะจัดหาเครื่องบินลำเลียงและเติมเชื้อเพลิงกลางอากาศ Airbus A330 MRTT". AAG_th. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  10. "Thai C-130H capability upgrades reach completion". Shepard Media. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  11. "#ซื้ออาวุธ - #กองทัพอากาศ รับมอบเครื่องบินฝึก T-6C และเครื่องบินโดยสาร ATR 72-600 เข้าประจำการ". thaiarmedforce.com. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  12. "Royal Thai Air Force B737". airfleets.net. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  13. 1 2 "A319 for VIPs". flightglobal.com. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  14. "Sukhoi Civil Aircraft to Deliver the Third SBJ to the Royal Thai Air Force". superjetinternational. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  15. "Royal Thai Air Force retires five older Bell 412s". 21 October 2021.
  16. "Thai Airforce list" (PDF). 19 February 2023.
  17. "Thailand's Air Force Commissions First Four T-50TH Supersonic Advanced Trainers". Defense World. 4 April 2018.
  18. 1 2 "World Air Forces 2018". Flightglobal Insight. 2018. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  19. "Thai Airforce list" (PDF). 19 February 2023.
  20. "UAV in Royal Thai Air Force".
  21. Caramelli, F; Battie, F; Scaccia, A (1 August 2019). "The first Vega ride-share mission flight" (PDF). Utah State University . Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  22. Nanuam, Wassana (16 June 2020). "Napa-1 satellite finally readies for Friday launch". Bangkok Post . Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  23. Henry, Caleb (3 September 2020). "Arianespace launches Vega on return-to-flight mission with 53 smallsats". SpaceNews . Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Trade Registers Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved on 2015-05-18.
  25. WASSANA NANUAM (16 June 2023). "RTAF plans to buy 3 fighter jets from Sweden". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  26. "Thailand confirms plan to buy additional T-50TH aircraft". Janes. 10 September 2022.
  27. ""โฆษก ทอ." แจงความจำเป็น ต้องได้งบฯ66 ซื้อ F-35A เพื่อเพิ่มประสิทธิภาพการรบ". Bangkok Biz News. 10 September 2022.
  28. Mintra Adair (18 January 2022). "Cabinet approves Air Force's planned purchase of 4 fighter jets". Thai PBS World.
  29. "Thailand air force says U.S. has denied request to buy F-35 jets". Reuters. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  30. "Saab Positions Gripen For Thai Fighter Requirement". Aviation Week. 7 November 2023.
  31. "Korea pitches fighter jets to defence minister Sutin". Bangkok Post. 31 March 2024.
  32. "Air force chooses Swedish jets over US F-16s". Bangkok Post. 10 July 2024.
  33. "กองทัพอากาศไทยเตรียมจะจัดหาเครื่องบินลำเลียงและเติมเชื้อเพลิงกลางอากาศ Airbus A330 MRTT". AAG_th. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  34. "Historic Painting". Royal Thai Air Force Museum. Archived from the original on 21 March 2007. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  35. Small Air Force Observer magazine, author unknown, No. 47 July 1988 & No. 50 April 1989
  36. "Royal Thai Air Force" (PDF). Thai Aviation. 2 September 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  37. AirForces Monthly . Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. March 2016. p. 27.
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