Thailand has received its first Textron Aviation T-6C Texan II turboprop trainers, which are meant for use in training or as attack aircraft.
The Southeast Asian nation allocated THB 5.8 billion (USD 162 million) for 12 T-6Cs in 2020 in an effort to replace Pilatus PC-9 turboprop trainers at the Royal Thai Air Force’s flight training school at Kamphaeng Saen. The American industrial conglomerate revealed that that the T-6C will be the platform for an integrated training system. Thailand also invested THB 5.1 billion (USD 143 million) in eight AT-6 Wolverine light attack aircraft, which will be delivered in 2024 and will replace the Aero L-39 jet trainer.
Thailand intends to use the AT-6s to support border security, as well as for anti-smuggling, counter-narcotics and anti-human trafficking operations. The AT-6 Wolverine is developed from the T-6 airframe, and it is meant for light attack, armed reconnaissance and counterinsurgency missions. The aircraft can employ weapons, including laser-guided bombs and rockets. It boasts an L3 Wescam MX-15D multi-sensor suite, which includes a laser designator, a laser illuminator and a laser rangefinder for weapons targeting and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.
(Sources: Thaiger; DefenseNews)
