Defense, ‘Sutin’, Defense Minister, insists that he will not interfere with the Air Force’s purchase of fighter jets, even though the Air Force has sent a report for acknowledgement. He sees joint thinking and decision-making according to the chain of command of the ‘Prime Minister-Defense Minister’ after the ‘Gripen’ scores higher than the ‘F-16’. He believes that it will not affect relations with the United States because it is on the same pole as Sweden. He points out that it is a different problem from the ‘submarine’.
Mr. Sutin Khlangsaeng, Minister of Defense, talked about the progress of the fighter jet procurement project after the Air Force summarized information on 2 types: F-16 Block 70 from Lockheed Martin, USA and Gripen E from SABB, Sweden, to the Minister of Defense to inform Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister, for acknowledgement. In mid-August, the Minister of Defense is scheduled to visit the US Ministry of Defense to discuss whether there will be negotiations on fighter jets. He said tha
t the visit was at the invitation of Mr. Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense, USA, and was not related to fighter jets. There is still time to consider whether to accept them in order to make it as clear as possible. He has instructed the Air Force to see which type of aircraft is most suitable for use.
When asked about the Air Force’s conclusion that the Gripen was given a higher score than the F-16, Mr. Sutin said that it certainly had an effect, explaining that he did not look at which model was better or which model could fight which model, but rather looked at which model was most in line with the mission the Air Force needed, and the Air Force had to answer as clearly as possible about the security situation and the combat situation, and which model of aircraft was most in line with the mission.
When asked whether there were external factors from abroad that put pressure on him, Mr. Sutin said that he had considered it somewhat, but it was not a decisive factor because we had always operated with a neu
tral policy. We had always bought weapons from both camps, so it was not a big problem. If today we had to buy from one side, in the future we could buy from the other side, so there was a way out.
If the Air Force decides to purchase a certain type of aircraft, will the government agree? Mr. Sutin said, ‘No, it’s not. The power is theirs. But as a commander in the hierarchy, they respect us and listen to us. The Air Force doesn’t think that they have to make the decision alone. Even though they see it this way, they accept the decision of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense. It’s considered that they thought together.’
When asked if the government disagreed, would it be considered as meddling in the military? Mr. Sutin said it would not be meddling because he believed that being an administrative commander could be done.
When asked if the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense decide and it does not go as the Air Force has given a score, they may be criticized that the politicians changed i
t like that, Mr. Sutin said that it depends on whether the politicians can explain it or not. If there is no reason and they think as they please and change it, there may be a problem.
When asked if the issue could not be resolved easily because the other option was the US F-16, Mr. Sutin said no, because the US and Sweden are in the same camp, they are not in conflict, and are not on opposite sides, so it is not too serious.
As for the navy, will it be upset that the planes are moving fast but the submarines are still not finished? Mr. Sutin said, ‘No, because they know that the problems and obstacles are not the same. They come from different sources. The first button is different. Who fastens it correctly? Who fastens it wrong?’
When asked if it was because the submarine project did not happen during the Pheu Thai government, Mr. Sutin said that it was certain because everyone knew that it happened during the old government, but we did not deny responsibility. When I came in, I knew that we would have t
o solve the problem. It is not that we will abandon or destroy the old government’s project because it is a matter of the old government. But we will have to solve the problem and the best solution will take a little time.
When asked whether any projects supported by the Budget Committee and the Budget Subcommittee will be approved by the Pheu Thai Party or the government, Mr. Suthin said that there has been no discussion, but the legislative branch is free. If there is a problem one day, they will discuss it and let them consider it first. Whether it will be suspended or not, he does not know yet. As far as he knows, there has been no negotiation. The committee will consider according to their reasons.
When asked how he felt as an F-16 fan, Mr. Sutin said that in the past he liked fighting and airplanes, but did not know the details. However, after becoming a minister, he knew the details.
When asked if there was criticism that buyers don’t use it, users don’t buy it because the decision is up to the mini
ster and the government, Mr. Suthin said that it was a joint decision, to be careful because the army has studied it, we helped give our opinions, the Prime Minister has made observations, it is the best thing and we respect the army’s decision. We didn’t throw it away completely because we have to listen to the opinions of users, but there may be additional observations.
When asked if the Defense Minister would go test both types of aircraft himself, Mr. Sutin said with a laugh, ‘I wouldn’t dare sit in it. It’s not necessary.’
Source: Thai News Agency