Royal Thai Air Force Explained

Unit Name:Royal Thai Air Force
Native Name:Thai: กองทัพอากาศไทย
Country: Thailand
Type:Air force
Role:Aerial warfare
Anti-aircraft warfare
Size:46,000 active personnel[1]
469 Aircraft
Command Structure:Royal Thai Armed Forces
Garrison:Don Muang Air Base, Bangkok
Garrison Label:Headquarters
Nickname:"ทอ." "Thor Or" Abbreviation of Air Force
"ทัพฟ้า" "Thap Fah" Sky Army
Motto:น่านฟ้าไทย จะมิให้ใครมาย่ำยี
"The Thai airspace, none shall ever invade"
Colours: Blue
March:Thai: มาร์ชกองทัพอากาศ
"Royal Thai Air Force March"
Anniversaries:9 April 1937
(Royal Thai Air Force Day)
Battles:
Commander1:Air Chief Marshal Punpakdee Pattanakul
Commander1 Label:Commander-in-Chief
Identification Symbol Label:Roundel
Identification Symbol 2 Label:Fin flash
Identification Symbol 3 Label:Flag
Aircraft Electronic:Saab 340 AEW&C
Aircraft Fighter:JAS-39C/D, F-16, F-5, Alpha Jet
Aircraft Helicopter:S-70i, Bell 412, S-92, EC725
Aircraft Recon:Saab 340B, DA42 MPP, P.180 Avanti
Aircraft Trainer:CT/4, T-41D, PC-9, DA42, T-50TH, T-6TH
Aircraft Transport:C-130, BT-67, ATR-72, Boeing 737, A320, A340, SSJ-100-95LR

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) (Thai: กองทัพอากาศไทย;) is the air force of the Kingdom of Thailand. Since its establishment in 1913 as one of the earliest air forces of Asia, the Royal Thai Air Force has engaged in numerous major and minor conflicts. During the Vietnam War era, the RTAF was supplied with USAF-aid equipment.

History

See main article: Military history of Thailand.

Belgian pilot Charles Van Den Born performed a flying demonstration over Bangkok in January 1911, greatly impressing Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath, brother of King Vajiravudh, and he even accepted an invitation for a flight. Chakrabongse sent three army officers to France, who began flight training at Vélizy-Villacoublay in July 1912. The officers became qualified aviators a year later. Soon after, Sra Pathum airfield was established along with a temporary hangar to house planes and also host flight training. In late 1913, the three new aviators returned home after arranging for the purchase of four Nieuport monoplanes and a Bréguet biplane. The aviation section put on a demonstration in January 1914, gaining the support of the King and a permanent aviation group was established and an air base at Don Muang was assigned, as the Royal Aeronautical Service, under Army control. [2] [3] [4]

Siam entered World War I with the Allies in July 1917, and a Siamese Expeditionary Force of around 1,200 men was sent to France, arriving in June 1918. Among them were 370 pilots and groundcrew, including more than 100 officers who were sent to flight school first at Istres and Avord, and then at Istres, Le Crotoy, La Chapelle-la-Reine, Biscarosse and Piox. Eventually, The 95 pilots who qualified as military aviators flew a few operational sorties in the closing weeks of the war but suffered no casualties, nor scored any kills. Their training did mean that Siam entered the post-World War I period with one of the best equipped and trained air forces in Asia.[5] [6]

In the 1930s the Royal Aeronautical Service began to replace French aircraft with American designs, purchasing more than 95 aircraft, including the Boeing P-12E, Curtiss Hawks, and Vought Corsairs. The air force was formally separated into its own branch, the Royal Siamese Air Force, in April 1937 and five operational wings were established. In 1939, when Siam became Thailand, the service was renamed the Royal Thai Air Force.[3] At the end of 1940, the RTAF once again saw combat, this time in the Franco-Thai War, a border conflict against French Indochina. The RTAF operated in the Mekong Delta, attacking ground forces and gunboats and defending against French bombing raids, until a ceasefire was arranged in January 1941. Later that year, on 7 December, Thailand was invaded by Japan. The RTAF took an active role in the resistance. Combat Wings 1 and 5 engaged significantly more advanced Japanese aircraft over Thailand's eastern border, but suffered heavy losses, including almost 30 percent of Wing 5, before a cease-fire took effect the following day.[7]

Structure

See also: List of commanders-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force. The Air Force is commanded by the Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force (ผู้บัญชาการทหารอากาศไทย). The Royal Thai Air Force Headquarters is located in Don Muang Airbase, Bangkok, Thailand.

The RTAF consists of headquarters and five groups: command, combat, support, education and training, and special services.

Headquarters Group

Command Group

Combat Group

The Royal Thai Air Force Combat Group is divided into 11 wings plus a training school, plus a few direct-reporting units.[8]

WingRoleProvinceBaseNotes
Directorate of Air Operations Control
Security Force Command
Space Operation Center
Royal Thai Air Force AcademyTraining
Flying Training SchoolTrainingNakhon PathomKamphang SaenComposed of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Flying Training Squadrons
Wing 1Interceptor/fighterNakhon RatchasimaKorat
Wing 2Helicopter transport/SARKhok Kathiam
Wing 3Unmanned aerial vehicleSa KaeoWatthana Nakhon
Wing 4Light attack/interceptorNakhon SawanTakhli
Wing 5Transport/special missionPrachuap Khiri KhanPrachuap Khiri Khan
Wing 6Non-combat multi-roleBangkokDon MuangProvides transport, mapping, communications, surveying
Wing 7Interceptor/fighterSurat ThaniSurat ThaniNicknamed "Ferocious Shark of the Andaman" and "House of Gripen" as they fly Gripen aircraft.[9] [10]
Wing 21InterceptorUbon RatchathaniUbon Ratchathani
Wing 23AttackUdon ThaniUdon
Wing 41Light attackChiang MaiChiang Mai
Wing 46Transport/rainmakingPhitsanulok
Wing 56Forward operating baseHat Yai

Squadrons

The following squadrons are currently active with the Royal Thai Air Force.[8]

SquadronEquipmentWingRTAF BaseNotes
Fighter Squadron-Wing 1Korat
Fighter SquadronF16A/B Block 15 ADFWing 1Korat
Fighter SquadronF-16A/B Block 15 OCUWing 1Korat
201 Helicopter SquadronS-70i, S-92Wing 2Khok Ka ThiamFormer Royal Guard
202 Helicopter SquadronBell 412/SP/HP/EPWing 2Khok Ka Thiam
203 Helicopter SquadronEC 725Wing 2Khok Ka ThiamSAR detachments at many locations.
UH-1H replaced by EC 725[11]
301 UAV SquadronAerostar BP, RTAF U-1Wing 3Watthana Nakhon
302 UAV SquadronAerostar BP, RTAF U-1Wing 3Watthana Nakhon
303 UAV SquadronAerostar BP, RTAF U-1Wing 3Watthana Nakhon
401 Light Attack SquadronT-50THWing 4Takhli
402 Elint Reconnaissance SquadronP.180 AvantiWing 4Takhli
403 Fighter SquadronF-16AM/BM Block 20 MLUWing 4Takhli
501 Light Attack SquadronFairchild AU-23Wing 5Prachuap Khiri Khan
601 Transport SquadronC-130H/H-30Wing 6Don Muang
602 Royal Flight SquadronA319CJ, A320CJ, A340-500Wing 6Don MuangFormer Royal Guard
603 Transport SquadronATR72-600, SSJ100-95LRWing 6Don Muang
604 Civil Pilot Training SquadronPAC CT-4A,
T-41D,
Diamond DA42
Wing 6Don Muang
Dechochai 3 Flight UnitB737-400, B737-800Wing 6Don MuangRoyal Flight Unit
701 Fighter SquadronJAS-39 C/DWing 7Surat ThaniTotal 12 Gripens delivered (4 Gripen D and 8 Gripen C),[12] replacing F-5E/F.[13] [14]
702 Air Control SquadronSaab 340,
S-100B Argus
Wing 7Surat ThaniSaab 340 70201 and S-100B Argus AEW 70202[15]
211 Fighter SquadronF-5TH Super TigrisWing 21Ubon
231 Attack SquadronAlpha Jet AWing 23Udorn
411 Fighter SquadronWing 41Chiang MaiTo be replaced by AT-6TH[16]
461 Transport SquadronBasler BT-67Wing 46PhitsanulokAlso conducts rainmaking flights.
561 Fighter Squadron-Wing 56Hat YaiForward operating base for 701 Fighter Sqn.
904 Aggressor SquadronF-5E-Don MuangFormer unit of King Vajiralongkorn Mahidol.
Flying Training SquadronPAC CT/4EFlying Training SchoolKamphang SaenPrimary flight training.
Flying Training SquadronPilatus PC-9MFlying Training SchoolKamphang SaenBasic flight training.
Flying Training SquadronEurocopter EC135T3HFlying Training SchoolKamphang SaenHelicopter training.

Support Group

Directorate of Medical Services

First set up in 1913 in the same year as the Air Force, providing nursing services only, and over the years has gradually expanded. It operates Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital and Royal Thai Air Force Hospital in Bangkok, as well as smaller hospitals at each wing. The directorate has made a teaching agreement with the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University to train students at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, accepting about 30 students per academic year.

RTAF Software Center

The Chief of the Air Force has envisioned and identified weaknesses in procurement software, which include limitations regarding copyright usage, maintenance, envisioning obstacles, and expanding usage to cover and cater to the needs of the Air Force. Consequently, there has been an initiation to ethically software development, independently, for the first time. This encompasses care from artificial intelligence systems, Big Data, Avionics software, strategic planning software, and support technology for the future, leading to the ISO 29110 software development standard. This initiative has also propelled the consideration to establish a comprehensive software-focused unit within the Air Force.

Education and Training Group

Special Service Group

Security Force Command

The RTAF Security Force Command (Thai: หน่วยบัญชาการอากาศโยธิน) is a Division size unit in the Royal Thai Air Force. It has been in existence since 1937. They are based near Don Mueang International Airport. The RTAF Security Force Command is the main air force ground forces and special forces which providing light infantry for anti-hijacking capabilities, protecting air bases and high value assets, protecting international airport in insurgent areas. It also serves as the Royal Thai Air Force Special Operations Regiment (RTAF SOR) which consists of various units such as Combat Control Team (CCT), Pararescue Jumpers (PJs), Tactical Air Control Party (TACP).[17] Royal Thai Air Force Security Force Command consist of 3 main regiments and multiple support units. Additionally, one separated air base protection battalions and one separated anti-aircraft battalions are station in each air bases.

Royal Thai Air Force bases

See main article: Royal Thai Air Force Bases. The Royal Thai Air Force maintains a number of modern bases which were constructed between 1954 and 1968, have permanent buildings and ground support equipment.

All but one were built and used by United States forces until their withdrawal from Thailand in 1976 when the RTAF took over the installations at Takhli and Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat). In the late 1980s, these bases and Don Muang Air Base outside Bangkok, which the air force shares with civil aviation, remain the primary operational installations.

Maintenance of base facilities abandoned by the United States (Ubon, Udorn) proved costly and exceeded Thai needs; they were turned over to the Department of Civil Aviation for civil use. Nonetheless, all runways were still available for training and emergency use.

By 2004 the Royal Thai Air Force had its main base at Don Muang airport, adjacent to Don Mueang International Airport. The RTAF also had large air fields and facilities at Nakon Ratchasima Ubon Ratchathani, and Takhli.

Equipment

Aircraft

AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes
Combat Aircraft
Alpha JetFrance / Germanylight attackAlpha Jet A18[18]
AT-6 Texan IIUnited Stateslight attackAT-6E26 on order
F-5 Tiger IIUnited StatesLight fighterF-5E TH31
F-5F TH3Also provide conversion training[19] [20]
F-16 Fighting FalconUnited StatesmultiroleF-16A OCU / ADF / MLU36
F-16B OCU / ADF / MLU14Also provide conversion training
JAS 39 GripenSwedenmultiroleJAS 39C7
JAS 39D4Also provide conversion training
AEW&C
Saab 340 AEW&CSwedenEarly warning and controlS 100B2aircraft mounted with an ERIEYE radar.
Transport
Airbus A319GermanyVIP transportACJ3191[21]
Airbus A320FranceVIP transportACJ3202[22]
Airbus A340FranceVIP transportA340-5001[23]
Basler BT-67United Statestransport 8Modified DC-3 with PT6A Turboprop engines.
Boeing 737United States1[24]
C-130 HerculesUnited StatestransportC-130H12
Diamond DA42Austriatransport / reconnaissance11
Piaggio P.180Italytransport / reconnaissance1
Pilatus PC-6Switzerlandtransport14
Saab 340Swedentransport5
Sukhoi Superjet 100RussiaVIP transport3[25]
Helicopters
Bell 412United Statesutility5
Eurocopter EC725FranceCSAR / utility12
Sikorsky S-70United StatesVIP / utility S-70I5
Sikorsky S-92United States2
Trainer Aircraft
Airbus H135Francerotorcraft trainer 6
Diamond DA42Austriamulti-engine trainer18
Pilatus PC-9Switzerlandtrainer 19
T-6 Texan IIUnited Statesadvanced trainer T-6C12 on order
T-50 Golden EagleRepublic of KoreaLIFTT-50TH142 on order

Armament

NameOriginTypeNotes
Air-to-air missile
Python 4/3Israelbeyond-visual-range missile120 obtained
AIM-120C AMRAAMUnited Statesbeyond-visual-range missileinitial 50 missiles[26]
AIM-9E/J/P/M SidewinderUnited States600 missiles obtained
IRIS-TGermany40 units – employs a thrust vector control motor
Air-to-surface missile
Swedenanti-ship missile25 missiles obtained
United Statesinfrared imaging AGM200 missiles obtained

Budget

RTAF budgets are shown below by fiscal year (FY):[27]

FYMillion (baht)% GDP
201839,9310.243%
201941,6090.237%
202042,5390.240%
202140,081[28]

Rank structure

See main article: Military ranks of the Thai armed forces.

Officers

Other ranks

Aircraft insignia

Tail markings

Sports

Brazilian jiu-jitsu

The Siam Cup BJJ (Brazilian jiu-jitsu) International tournament was held at the Show DC stadium in Bangkok from 2017 in cooperation with the Arete BJJ dōjō, hosted by the Royal Thai Air Force.[29] [30] [31] [32] [33] Each year, the tournament brings together more than 400 fighters from more than 50 countries to compete.[34] [35] [36] The Siam Cup BJJ 2021 was scheduled to take place on May 8, but due to restrictions imposed for COVID-19 during the coronavirus pandemic, the Thai government temporarily postponed all sporting events.[37]

See also

References

NotesCommentsBibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Military Balance 2023. International Institute for Strategic Studies. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 15 February 2023. Routledge. London. 294. 9781032508955.
  2. Leary, 93.
  3. Web site: Japanese Aircraft In Royal Thai Air Force and Royal Thai Navy Service During WWII . https://web.archive.org/web/20191204203939/https://j-aircraft.com/research/jan_forsgren/j-aircraft_royal_thai.htm . 2019-12-04 . Jan . Forsgren . J-Aircraft .
  4. https://www.simandan.com/a-brief-history-of-aviation-in-thailand/
  5. Leary, 94.
  6. Web site: Duncan Stearn . 22 August 2009 . Thailand and the First World War . 19 July 2015 . First World War.com.
  7. Leary, 96.
  8. Web site: Royal Thai Air Force Organization. 16 May 2020. rtaf.mil.th.
  9. News: Nanuam . Wassana . 2016-02-11 . Air force readies to go digital . Bangkok Post . 11 February 2016.
  10. Web site: 2021-09-05 . RTAF Gripen Participates in Network Centric Exercise . live . https://archive.today/20210905155733/https://www.saab.com/newsroom/stories/2021/march/rtaf-gripen-participates-in-network-centric-exercise . 5 September 2021 . 5 September 2021.
  11. Web site: Thailand Orders Eurocopters EC725 for SAR Missions. 29 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170704003744/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Thailand-Orders-Eurocopters-EC725-for-SAR-Missions-07542/. 4 July 2017. live. dmy-all.
  12. Web site: Gripen users . 23 February 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160224184800/http://saab.com/air/gripen-fighter-system/gripen/gripen/users-gripen . 24 February 2016 . live . dmy-all .
  13. Web site: THAI GRIPEN: GUARDIANS OF THE SKIES . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303122753/http://saab.com/about-saab/sites/2015/defenseandsecurity/news/updates/2015/thai-gripen-guardians-of-the-skies/ . dead . 3 March 2016 . 31 October 2015 .
  14. Web site: New era for air force with modern jets . 22 February 2011 . https://archive.today/20130117125431/http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/security/222825/new-era-for-air-force-with-modern-jets . 17 January 2013 . dead.
  15. Web site: SINGAPORE: Saab looks for additional Thai Gripen sale. Reed Business Information Limited. 24 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140222053701/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/singapore-saab-looks-for-additional-thai-gripen-sale-395860/. 22 February 2014. live. dmy-all.
  16. https://web.archive.org/web/20201102132355/https://defpost.com/royal-thai-air-force-awards-textron-contract-for-12-beechcraft-t-6c-texan-ii-aircraft/ To be replaced by AT-6TH
  17. Web site: 27 December 2016 . 'บิ๊กแฟร้งค์' นำบิ๊กทัพฟ้าร่วมงานวันสถาปนาหน่วย 'อากาศโยธิน' ครบ 69 ปี . 16 May 2020 . thairath.co.th . th.
  18. News: World Air Forces 2023. Flight Global. Flightglobal Insight . 2023 . 12 May 2023.
  19. Web site: World Air Forces 2022. Flightglobal Insight . 2022 . 1 January 2022. registration.
  20. News: Carter. Ann. 6 December 2021. A bird strike may have caused Royal Thai Air Force F-5 fighter jet's recent crashing. The Thaiger. 6 December 2021.
  21. Web site: A319 for VIPs. flightglobal.com . 20 June 2015.
  22. Web site: A320 for VIPs. airfleets.net . 12 April 2021.
  23. Web site: A340 for VIPs. airfleets.net . 12 April 2021.
  24. Web site: Royal Thai Air Force B737 . airfleets.net . 20 June 2015.
  25. Web site: SSJ100 for VIPs. airfleets.net . 12 April 2021.
  26. http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php Trade Registers
  27. Book: RTAF White Paper 2020 . 20 February 2020 . Royal Thai Air Force . 10–11.
  28. Web site: Thailand's Budget in Brief Fiscal Year 2021 . Budget Bureau . 7 December 2020 . 85 . 2020-10-02.
  29. Web site: Jehan. Siam cup Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open. 2021-06-07. BJJASIA. en-GB.
  30. News: Siam Cup 2018. 2021-06-07. .Bangkokbiznews. November 2018. th.
  31. Web site: Siam Cup Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 2019. 2021-06-07. BJJASIA. en-GB.
  32. Web site: Siam Cup 2020. 2021-06-07. BJJASIA. en-GB.
  33. Web site: Siam Cup 2021. 2021-06-07. BJJASIA. en-GB.
  34. Web site: 2021-01-15. Phuket Sport: The Way Of The Dojo. 2021-06-07. The Phuket News Com. en.
  35. Web site: Smoothcomp. 2021-06-07. Smoothcomp. en.
  36. Web site: Siam Cup BJJ GI & No-Gi Tournament Summer Open. 2021-06-07. Smoothcomp. en.
  37. Web site: Siam Cup 2021. 2021-06-07. BJJASIA. en.