Bangkok, The US ambassador sent a letter to the Prime Minister. Accelerating the final curve to push the F-16 Offering a 9-year loan but paying interest – reciprocal trade with Thailand before the Air Force decides on the option soon.
Reporters reported that on June 28, 2024, Mr. Robert Godek, US Ambassador to Thailand Met with Mr. Suthin Khlangsaeng, Minister of Defense, at the Ministry of Defence’s City Hall. To provide additional information on the military assistance project for the sale of the F-16 block70 aircraft of the Lockheed Martin Company, after having previously submitted a letter to Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister. It has not yet been reported what the details of the letter sent to the Prime Minister are. It is expected that this will inform proposals for additional assistance. In addition to the weapons purchase program in the assistance project with friendly countries and information on reciprocal trade with Thailand At the same time, the US Ambassador to Thailand also invited the Thai D
efense Minister. Also visit the United States.
Air Chief Marshal Phanpakdee Pattanakul, Commander of the Air Force which is during an official visit to the Chinese Air Force Denied knowledge of the US Ambassador’s letter to the Prime Minister. But the Air Force is taking steps to select designs that are cost-effective in every aspect. and according to the economic compensation policy while also listening to additional proposals from both nations
However, during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore at the end of May, Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of State, held bilateral discussions with Mr. Sutin and raised a proposal on the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, which provides financial assistance and loans to governments of allied countries to purchase military weapons and training equipment from the US, but is facing a budget shortage but is necessary to develop military capabilities. Previously, the price of the F-16 block had been reduced, but the payment will be made in installments over a period
of 9 years with an interest rate lower than 5 percent, which is lower than the specified framework and is a longer installment period than normal purchases, which the US will approve for close friends.
It was reported that the draft of the 2025 budget bill included details of the first-year budget commitment project, with a budget of approximately 3.5 billion baht, for 4 projects, one of which is the budget to purchase 4 replacement fighter jets (Phase 1). However, the budget document did not divide it into items to show which projects they are. This will be considered in the special committee in July before voting in the second and third readings.
In the meantime, the company and two countries producing fighter jets are SABB from Sweden, producer of Gripen/E aircraft, and Lockheed Martin of the United States, producer of F-16 block70 aircraft, which the Air Force is interested in. They rushed to submit additional proposals in order to win the final selection. The data collection committee chaired by Air Ch
ief Marshal Seksan Khantha, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, was originally going to announce the results of the summary of which aircraft received the first and second scores, but was postponed. Waiting for documents from the company The Air Force will have a committee select the model. Be the one to choose the design in the final step.
On June 24, 2024, Mr.Marcus Wallenberg, Chairman of SAAB SEB Group, traveled to meet the Prime Minister. at Government House by the Prime Minister It was stated that many matters had been discussed. Including the Gripen aircraft. Next year the Prime Minister Will travel to Davos again. and may be organized into a small forum between Thailand and Sweden In bringing related companies from two countries to talk, will they be able to develop technology together? It also states that in the case of the US F-16 aircraft, if purchased, it must be developed in Thailand as well. In return.
Source: Thai News Agency