RTAF Considers Purchasing MRTT to Replace A340 AIrcraft

11 Maret 2025

Air-to-air refueling A330 MRTT with JAS-39 Gripen (photo: NATO)

Airbus' A330 MRTT is a high possibility for the Air Force's Tanker-capable Transport program. The only other option in the same class is Boeing's KC-46A Pegasus. However, the KC-46 is facing structural cracks and has been ordered to ground its entire fleet. This is not to mention other problems that have occurred before, including the KC-46's foundation, which is derived from the Boeing 767, which is rarely used in Thailand. The budget of 12 billion baht is sufficient to get new ones, so there is no need to purchase second-hand aircraft to improve them.

In addition, the Air Force Commander stated during an academic seminar at the Air Force's 88th Anniversary that there is a plan to purchase aerial refueling aircraft to increase the operational range and flight time (Endurance) of the air force. However, if you look at the procurement plan in the white paper, there is no plan to directly purchase a Tanker. The closest thing is to purchase an aircraft to replace the A340 with a budget of 12 billion baht. The illustration used during the Air Force Commander's speech clearly indicates that it is a VIP transport aircraft with the ability to refuel in the air (Tanker-capable Transport).

Airbus A340-541 HS-TYV VIP transport of the Royal Thai Air Force will be proposed to be replaced with MRTT under fiscal year 2025-2028 (photo: Reddit)

Looking back at the origin of the A340 replacement aircraft procurement project, it can be seen that there was an attempt to do so several years ago, with a budget proposal of 8.7 billion baht to procure a replacement passenger aircraft, but it was rejected. Then last year, the Prime Minister's Office proposed the budget again, increasing it to 12 billion baht, and the budget passed the House of Representatives and was finally included in the 2025 fiscal year.

(TAF)

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