Bangkok hopes to broker poultry barter deal for aircraft as it starts evaluation process for new squadron
Thailand will receive proposals next month from three manufacturers that have been shortlisted to potentially supply a new squadron of fighters. Thailand has already begun evaluating the Lockheed Martin F-16C/D, Saab/BAE Systems Gripen and Sukhoi Su-30. Air force sources say technical information on all three aircraft will be submitted in February.
A contract could be signed as early as this year, but only if the manufacturers accept frozen chicken meat as payment.
Industry sources say Gripen International and Sukhoi are prepared to sell 18 fighters in exchange for chickens, plus some cash. But sources say Lockheed will only accept cash and is trying to convince Thailand to delay a procurement until it has sufficient funds to pay for the aircraft. Bangkok has requested price and availability information from the US government on F-16C/Ds.
Thailand already operates three F-16A/B squadrons, one of which will receive the Falcon Up structural upgrade from November. Industry and air force sources say Lockheed and Thailand are in talks on a mid-life avionics upgrade.
Sources say the air force prefers to add more fighters of the same type rather than further diversify its already mixed fleet, which includes Northrop F-5s and Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets. The air force plans to recommend a fighter after evaluating the three proposals, but sources warn political motivations often prompt the Thai government to pursue deals the air force does not support.
BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
