The Royal Thai Air Force is considering buying four new training fighter jets to replace its ageing L39 jets, which have reportedly malfunctioned several times.
The cabinet has approved 3.7 billion baht for the deal, and the air force is studying models made in the US, Russia, Italy, China and South Korea, said air force chief ACM Treetos Sonjaeng.
The L39 jets have been used for 30 years, and their Czech manufacturer has stopped making them, causing maintenance problems, he said.
The L39 has also been involved in several accidents, said an air force source.
Early this year, one of the jets had to make an emergency landing in Nakhon Ratchasima during the Cope Tiger joint military drill between Thailand, the US and Singapore in March.