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
-
![Saab’s flight-tested AI agents signal new era of crewed-uncrewed fighter systems]()
Saab’s flight-tested AI agents signal new era of crewed-uncrewed fighter systems
Saab is developing artificial intelligence (AI) agents for crewed and uncrewed aircraft, targeting potential operational deployment within months, while expanding its training capabilities, partnerships and ambitions for wider military applications.
-
![October crewed air review: Israel’s Apache deal bets on crewed aviation in an uncrewed age]()
October crewed air review: Israel’s Apache deal bets on crewed aviation in an uncrewed age
Israel’s $1 billion Apache helicopter order highlights the continued demand for crewed attack aviation, while growing integration with uncrewed systems could shape future modernisation and procurement decisions.
-
![US Navy keeps Super Hornet production restart option open, but without defined cost or timetable]()
US Navy keeps Super Hornet production restart option open, but without defined cost or timetable
The US Navy plans to preserve Super Hornet and Growler tooling as production winds down, with restart costs unassessed and final F/A-18 deliveries expected in late 2027.
-
![Connecting the layers: how networks can secure the future of European air defence]()
Connecting the layers: how networks can secure the future of European air defence
The rise of drones has reshaped the threat landscape for all European militaries. For industry, future defensive strategies must carefully balance a mix of passive and active measures to address the evolving danger, based around a highly integrated and responsive network of sensors and effectors.
-
![October drone digest: France and Lithuania advance loitering munition procurements as global spending surges]()
October drone digest: France and Lithuania advance loitering munition procurements as global spending surges
Recent procurement developments in France and Lithuania highlight the growing demand for loitering munitions, with global annual spending forecast to increase nearly 50-fold between 2020 and 2029.
-
![Germany could secure greater influence through sixth-generation fighter partnership with Sweden and Spain]()
Germany could secure greater influence through sixth-generation fighter partnership with Sweden and Spain
Germany is assessing potential pathways for a future sixth-generation fighter capability, including discussions with GCAP partners and Sweden.
