KAI proposes FA-50 for RTAF fighter requirement

The KAI FA-50 is a tandem-seat light-attack aircraft in service with Poland and the Philippines, in addition to South Korea. (KAI)

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has proposed a sale of its FA-50 light fighter aircraft to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), which seeks to acquire new combat aircraft from fiscal year (FY) 2025.

Janes understands that KAI's proposal is in response to an unofficial request for proposals (RFP) issued by the RTAF in the second half of 2023. In its 2024 White Paper, the RTAF detailed a plan to procure 12–14 fighter aircraft to replace ageing Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs of its 102 Squadron from FY 2025 to FY 2034.

The RTAF's aircraft procurement plan was to be presented to the Thai cabinet on 2 April. However, an RTAF source told Janes on 3 April that the Thai government did not accept the RTAF's proposed budgetary request. “The air force will try again in May,” the source added.

The RTAF seeks an initial budgetary allocation of THB2.8 billion (USD76.3 million) to procure a first batch of four aircraft. The RTAF source said that it is considering a procurement of the SAAB Gripen E/F aircraft and the US F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft. “However, the decision will be made by the government,” the RTAF source said.

KAI had not responded to Janes request for comment on its FA-50 proposal at the time of publication.

Janes assesses that the FA-50 represents significant cost savings for Thailand. According to Janes Markets Forecast, the unit price of an FA-50 is USD30 million. The Gripen E/F has a unit price of USD65 million while the F-16 C/D Block 70/72 has a unit price of USD73 million.

Janes