Thailand to receive Singapore F-16A/B's
Monday, December 13, 2004 - Singapore will donate its F-16A/B fleet
to Thailand at the start of 2005. The vipers will be used by the
RTAF to supplement the assets already in service with its Air
Force.
This news was announced by RTAF Commander-in-Chief, Kongsak
Wanthana at a press conference on November 18th.
On November 12th a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between
the two nations covering both the delivery of the 7 F-16s (3 Alpha
models and 4 Bravo models) and the training facilities that the
RSAF will get in return. In the MOU the RSAF is allowed to train 3
times a year at Udon Thani AB in Thailand for a maximum of 60 days
a session with a maximum of 20 aircraft and this for a period of 15
years.
This deal has many advantages for both parties. Singapore will have
access to vast training facilities in Thailand and is able to
rationalise its F-16 fleet and operate only the latest C/D models
of the venerable viper. Thailand on its behalf will get 7 extra
airframes to supplement its already owned airframes in a short
timeframe. This deal signifies the good relationship between the
two Asian countries, both members of ASEAN (Association of
Southeast Asian Nations).
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From F-16.net
