Thailand steps up modernisation efforts with AT-6 Wolverine order
The Royal Thai Air Force has ordered a fleet of Beechcraft AT-6s. (Photo: Business Wire)
The Royal Thai Air Force has requested eight Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine aircraft as part of its plans to modernise its inventory.
Textron Aviation Defence on 13 November announced a $142 million contract award from the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) for eight Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine light attack aircraft, as the Asian country works to fill capability gaps in its military aircraft fleet.
The new aircraft — designated Beechcraft AT-6TH in Thailand — will partially replace the country’s ageing fleet of 33 Aero L-39 Albatros aircraft which entered service in 1992.
Air Mshl Pongsawat Jantasarn, chairman of the RTAF procurement committee, said: ‘The contract for the AT-6 — designated the Beechcraft AT-6TH in Thailand — supports the modernisation and interoperability objectives at the forefront of the mutual defence cooperation between the US and Thailand.’
He added: ’The contract also contributes to the growth of Thailand’s aerospace industry detailed in the 10-year Royal Thai Air Force Purchase and Development (P&D) Plan… and empowers RTAF light attack aircrew with a vital technological advantage.’
The AT-6 is a light attack armed reconnaissance aircraft, featuring a 10.4m wingspan and a PT6A-68D turboprop diesel engine by Pratt and Whitney.
The new deal builds upon a previous order placed by the Royal Thai Air Force in September 2020 for twelve Beechcraft T-6C Texan II trainers.
Textron Aviation Defense stated that training of RTAF maintenance professionals is set to begin in Thailand in 2023, while pilot training is set to begin in Wichita in 2024. The Beechcraft AT-6TH will join the Royal Thai fleet in 2024.
Despite reports in early 2020 that Tunisia intended to procure four AT-6 Wolverine, the sale was never confirmed.
For this reason, the new agreement will make Thailand the first international customer for this light attack aircraft.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Update: India’s Rafale-M deal postponed]()
Update: India’s Rafale-M deal postponed
New Delhi had been gearing up to sign a Navy Rafale deal as talks swirled around a potential assembly line in Nagpur.
-
![Turkey’s Eurofighter process going to plan despite German block, says minister]()
Turkey’s Eurofighter process going to plan despite German block, says minister
The comment, made by Turkish defence minister Yasar Guler, also noted that the 40-strong sale of Eurofighter Typhoons was primarily managed by the UK, not Germany.
-
![Airbus awaits USMC decision on Logistics Connector programme]()
Airbus awaits USMC decision on Logistics Connector programme
Airbus has been advancing development of its uncrewed MQ-72C Logistics Connector for the US Marine Corps, with a decision on the programme expected in early 2026.
-
![Belgium considers additional F-35 order to boost fleet]()
Belgium considers additional F-35 order to boost fleet
The statement from Prime Minister Bart De Wever during a parliamentary session follows the country’s Easter Agreement which would see it increase defence spending to 2% of GDP by the end of 2025.
-
![Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs]()
Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs
In its Q1 earnings call, the company disclosed a US$477 million pretax loss related to the programme as it works to scale up.
-
![Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss]()
Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss
The investment in technologies developed for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft bid will now be applied to its F-35 and F-22 aircraft, according to Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet.
