As part of the inspection, the USAF will look
closely to determine whether Thai resources and capabilities can support the
purchase of this advanced stealth fighter.
Previously, the Commander of the Royal Thai
Air Force (RTAF) Air Marshal Napadej Dhupatemiya, told the country's media that
Thailand was considering purchasing 8-12 F-35 Lightning IIs and using drones to
fly with them.
The Thai government itself has currently
approved a budget allocation of 13.8 billion baht (400 million) to buy four
F-35s. The jets would most likely need to be purchased using funds from next
year’s budget.
If approved, Thailand will be the second ASEAN
country to have the F-35 after Singapore first acquired this fifth-generation
fighter.