Thailand has stepped up pressure on the US Government to release the McDonnell Douglas (MDC) F-15 and Hughes AIM-120 AMRAAM active-radar air-to-air missile for sale in South-East Asia, following Vietnam's purchase of up to 20 Sukhoi Su-27 fighters.
The Thai air force is due to select a new fighter shortly to supplement its fleet of 36 Lockheed F-16A/Bs. According to local sources, this programme has now been given added impetus by the delivery of the first two Su-27s to Vietnam (Flight International, 24-30 May, P24).
"This has had a marked effect on the way Thai military planners are thinking," says a Western defence source, "They are now thinking of a more capable generation of fighter than, say the F-16A/B or British Aerospace Hawk. They are wanting more powerful radar systems and a beyond-visual range [BVR] missile capability."
Thailand has been offered a choice between the MDC F/A-18D and improved F-16C/D, but would rather buy a downgraded version of the F-15S ordered by Saudi Arabia.
The US Government has so far not approved Thai requests for a detailed technical briefing.
In addition to the F-15, Thailand is pressing the USA to make the AMRAAM available to counter similar Russian-made BVR missiles being supplied to the region.
Malaysia is understood to be the first export customer for the fully-active RVV-AE (AA-12) missile, and Vietnam is likely to follow, say defence sources.
"With Mikoyan MiG-29s south in Malaysia, and Su-27s to the west in Vietnam, together with the prospect of the AA-12 in both countries, this is creating a strong leverage for Thailand," says a US diplomatic observer.
Thailand has already threatened to turn to the non-US manufacturers if the AMRAAM was not released (Flight International, 12-18 April, P13). One alternative option being considered by Thailand is the Dassault Mirage 2000-5, along with the fully active Matra MICA missile.
The Thai air force is understood to have been offered the Sukhoi Su-35 fighter, in addition to the earlier Su-27 and MiG-29. The terms of the Russian proposal have been made more attractive by the offer of barter trade.
Source: Flight International
