Italian aerospace company Alenia Aermacchi again has offered its M-346 Master advanced jet trainer aircraft to Thailand as the air force looks at aircraft from as many as six countries to replace its ageing fleet of Czech-made L-39 Albatros jets.
According to a report in HIS Jane's Defence Weekly, the offer was made following last week's announcement by the air force it would purchase four new fighter planes as part of its Advanced Jet Trainer/Light Attack Aircraft programme.
Thailand’s air force is looking to replace its ageing fleet of Czech-made L-39 Albatros fighter jets purchased in the 1990s and is looking at options from six countries. (Bangkok Post photo)
The air force currently operates 36 L-39ZA/ART aircraft from Aero Vodochody of the Czech Republic, which last week told Jane's that it offered the Thai military either its L-159 ALCA or L-39NG as replacements the older aircraft. Thailand calls the aircraft - which it purchased in the 1990s - the B.KhF1 and modernised them with Israeli avionics and the ability to fire Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
The air force, the magazine said, has allocated 3.5 billion baht for the four new planes. In addition to the Alenia Aermacchi and Aero Vodochody bids, offers are expected from China, Russia, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
China likely would offer its GAIC FTC-2000 (JL-9 Shanying) or HAIG L-15 Lieying; Russia its Yakovlev Yak-130 'Mitten'; South Korea its the KAI F/A-50 Fighting Hawk; and the United Kingdom would counter with the BAE Systems Hawk.
A decision on the procurement is expected in 2015.
Alenia Aermacchi's offer marks its second attempt to get the Thailand to purchase the M-346. In February the company planned to bid on a proposal for up to 10 jets. However that plan was scuttled after the May 22 coup.
The tandem twin-seat, twin-engine M-346 can operate both as a trainer and a light-attack craft. It is rated at a top speed of 1,093 km/h and a 45,000-foot service ceiling. Each jet has an estimated unit price of $35 million and is used by Singapore, Italy, Israel, and Poland.