South Korea, Thailand reach agreement on additional T-50TH trainer jets

[Zarvan]

Photo by Royal Thai Air Force

South Korean media on Apr. 23, reported that Korea Aerospace Industries, or KAI, and the Thailand government have reached an agreement on the next batch of T-50TH lead-in fighter trainers.

The story was first reported by reporter Min-Seok Kim, which cited industry sources.

According to industry sources, the Thai government and KAI have agreed on two additional T-50TH aircraft to enhance the Royal Thai Air Force’s airpower and efficient pilot training.

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The T-50TH is a special version of the T-50 Golden Eagle developed for Thailand.

The T-50 Golden Eagle is a family of South Korean supersonic advanced jet trainers and light combat aircraft, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin. The T-50 is South Korea’s first indigenous supersonic aircraft and one of the world’s few supersonic trainers.

As noted by the KAI, T-50 proved its superior performances and transcendent training efficiency through field operation and expanding its footprint in the global market since 2011 to Indonesia, Iraq and the Philippines, Thailand.

The T-50TH developed to train and prepare pilots for the F-16 and JAS-39, replacing trainers such as L-39s in service with the Royal Thai Air Force. The T-50TH lead-in fighter trainers developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with Lockheed Martin.

The Royal Thai Air Force currently operates 12 T-50TH and ordered an upgrade program for its fleet in May of 2019.

The first two of KAI T-50TH aircraft serial 40101 and 40102, 401st Squadron arrived at Wing 4 RTAF Base Takhli, Nakhon Sawan, Thailand on January 2018.

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South Korea, Thailand reach agreement on additional T-50TH trainer jets (defence-blog.com)