Author: Paul Chambers

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has a rich history of combat aircraft procurement, showcasing Thailand’s efforts to stay competitive in the region and adapt to changes with various global powers. From purchasing Avro 504s from Britain in 1930 to acquiring Nakajima Ki-43 from Japan during World War II, the RTAF has continuously evolved its fleet. During the Cold War, Thailand aligned closely with the US, acquiring most of its military aircraft from there. The F-5A Freedom Fighters supplied during the Vietnam War remained the backbone of RTAF fighter aircraft until the introduction of Lockheed-Martin F-16s in 1988. However, bureaucratic…