List of equipment of the Royal Thai Air Force
Updated: 5/20/2026, 8:12:50 PM Wikipedia source
The following is a list of Equipment of the Royal Thai Air Force, past, present, and future.
Tables
· Present Aircraft
Combat aircraft
Combat aircraft
Electronic-warfare aircraft
Electronic-warfare aircraft
Aerial Refueling
Aerial Refueling
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Transport
Transport
Helicopters
Helicopters
Trainer aircraft
Trainer aircraft
Unmanned aerial vehicle
Unmanned aerial vehicle
Earth observation satellite
Earth observation satellite
| Photo | Aircraft | Origin | Role | RTAF Designation | Type | In service | Total | Notes |
| Combat aircraft | ||||||||
| | Saab JAS 39 Gripen | Sweden | Multirole fighter | B | JAS-39CJAS-39DJAS-39EJAS-39F | 740 (+3)0 (+1) | 11 (+4) | All C/D received MS20 upgrade. 4 E/F on order. |
| | General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon | United States | Multirole fighter | B | F-16A ADFF-16B ADFF-16A OCUF-16B OCUF-16AM MLUF-16BM MLU | 101125126 | 46 | Current Main Fighter Jet of the Royal Thai Air Force |
| | Northrop F-5 | United States | Multirole fighter | B | F-5THF-5THF | 112 | 13 | 13 from 33 of F-5E/F upgraded to F-5TH Super Tigris standards. One F-5TH 2-seat (21105) crashed in 2021. All expected to retire within 2031. |
| | Dornier Alpha Jet | Germany | Light attack | B | Alpha Jet TH | 14 | 14 | 14 planned to upgrade to Alpha Jet TH standards. All expected to retire within 2031. |
| | Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine | United States | Light attack | B | AT-6TH | 7 | 7 | 2 delivered, 1 crashed in training accident |
| Electronic-warfare aircraft | ||||||||
| | Saab 340 AEW&C | Sweden | Airborne early warning and control | B | S100B Argus | 2 | 2 | Equipped with Erieye radar. |
| | Saab 340 | Sweden | Signals intelligence | B | SAAB 340B SIGINT | 2 | 2 | Equipped with ELINT/COMINT systems. |
| Aerial Refueling | ||||||||
| | Airbus A330 MRTT | France | Aerial Refueling | — | A330 MRTT+ | 0 (+1) | 0 (+1) | |
| Reconnaissance | ||||||||
| | Fairchild AU-23 Peacemaker | United States | Reconnaissance | B | AU-23A | 14 | 14 | Equipped with EO/IR sensors. |
| | Piaggio P Avanti | Italy | Reconnaissance | B | Avanti II EVO | 1 | 1 | |
| | Diamond DA42 Twin Star | Austria | Reconnaissance | B | DA42MPP / DA42 M-NG | 11 | 11 | Equipped with EO/IR sensors. |
| Transport | ||||||||
| | Lockheed C-130 Hercules | United States | Tactical airlift | B | C-130HC-130H-30 | 66 | 12 | Upgraded with a new glass cockpit and safety systems. |
| | Basler BT-67 | United States | Tactical airlift | B | BT-67 | 8 | 8 | Modified DC-3 used for firefighting/seeding. One lost in 2006. |
| | Saab 340 | Sweden | Transport | B | 340B | 3 | 3 | |
| | ATR 72 | France / Italy | VIP/Transport | B | ATR-72-500ATR-72-600 | 33 | 6 | |
| | Boeing 737 | United States | VIP Transport | B | 737-4Z6 BBJ737-8Z6 BBJ | 22 | 4 | |
| | Airbus A319 | Germany | VIP/Transport | B | A319-115CJ | 1 | 1 | |
| | Airbus A320 | France | VIP/Transport | B | A320-200ACJ | 2 | 2 | |
| | Airbus A340 | France | VIP/Transport | B | A340-500 | 1 | 1 | Former Thai Airways (HS-TLC). |
| | Sukhoi Superjet 100 | Russia | VIP/Transport | B | SSJ100-95LR | 3 | 3 | |
| Helicopters | ||||||||
| | Bell 412 | United States | VIP/Utility | H | 412EP | 6 | 6 | 2 retired in October 2021. |
| | Sikorsky S-92 Superhawk | United States | VIP/Med Evac | H | S-92A | 5 | 5 | |
| | Sikorsky S-70 | United States | VIP/Utility | H | S-70i | 5 | 5 | |
| | Eurocopter EC725 | France | CSAR/Utility | H | EC725 / H225M | 12 (+2) | 12 (+2) | |
| Trainer aircraft | ||||||||
| | KAI T-50 Golden Eagle | South Korea | Light attack/Lead-in fighter trainer | B | FA-50THT-50TH | 68 | 14 | First 4 delivered in April 2018. |
| | Cessna T-41 Mescalero | United States | Trainer aircraft | B | T-41D | 6 | 6 | |
| | PAC CT/4 Airtrainer | New Zealand | Trainer aircraft | B | CT-4A/E | 24 | 24 | |
| | Diamond DA42 Twin Star | Austria | Trainer aircraft | B | DA42 | 18 | 18 | |
| | Diamond DA40 Diamond Star | Austria | Trainer aircraft | B | DA40NG | 8 | 8 | |
| | Beechcraft T-6 Texan II | United States | Trainer aircraft | B | T-6TH | 12 | 12 | |
| | Eurocopter EC135 | France | Helicopter trainer | H | H135 | 6 | 6 | |
| Unmanned aerial vehicle | ||||||||
| | Aeronautics Defense Dominator | Israel | Reconnaissance | BR | Dominator XP | 3 | 3 | Equipped with EO/IR sensors. |
| | Aerostar Tactical UAS | Israel | Reconnaissance | BR | Aerostar BP | 8 | 8 | Equipped with EO/IR sensors. One lost in the 2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict |
| | Tigershark II | Thailand | Reconnaissance | BR | Tigershark II | Unknown | Unknown | |
| | RTAF U-1 | Thailand | Reconnaissance | BR | RTAF U1 | 17 | 17 | Equipped with EO/IR sensors. |
| | Sapura Cybereye | Malaysia | Reconnaissance | — | Cybereye II | 3 | 3 | Equipped with EO/IR sensors. |
| RTAF KB-5E | Thailand | Kamikaze UAV | — | KB-5E | 80 | 80 | Equipped with Warhead 5kg. | |
| RTAF KB-10G | Thailand | Kamikaze UAV | — | KB-10G | Unknown | Unknown | Equipped with Warhead 10kg. | |
| UDS Avenger 5 | Lithuania | Loitering munition UAV | — | Avenger 5 | Unknown | Unknown | Equipped with Warhead 5kg. | |
| Earth observation satellite | ||||||||
| | NAPA-1 | Thailand | Earth observation satellite | RTAF-SAT-1 | — | 1 | 1 | First Thai RTAF satellite. Launched via Vega VV16 in 2020. |
· Surface-to-air missile
KS-1C
KS-1C
Name
KS-1C
Origin
China
Role
High to medium air defense
Type
KS-1C
In service
2 systems
Total
2 systems
Barak MX
Barak MX
Name
Barak MX
Origin
Israel
Role
High to medium air defense
Type
Barak ER
In service
0 (+1)
Total
0 (+1)
Notes
3 systems planned
RBS 70
RBS 70
Name
RBS 70
Origin
Sweden
Role
Man-portable air-defense system
Type
RBS 70
In service
Unknown
Total
Unknown
FN-16
FN-16
Name
FN-16
Origin
China
Role
Man-portable air-defense system
Type
FN-16
In service
Unknown
Total
Unknown
QW-2
QW-2
Name
QW-2
Origin
China
Role
Man-portable air-defense system
Type
QW-2
In service
Unknown
Total
Unknown
| Photo | Name | Origin | Role | Type | In service | Total | Notes | |
| Surface-to-air missile | ||||||||
| | KS-1C | China | High to medium air defense | KS-1C | 2 systems | 2 systems | ||
| | Barak MX | Israel | High to medium air defense | Barak ER | 0 (+1) | 0 (+1) | 3 systems planned | |
| | RBS 70 | Sweden | Man-portable air-defense system | RBS 70 | Unknown | Unknown | ||
| | FN-16 | China | Man-portable air-defense system | FN-16 | Unknown | Unknown | ||
| | QW-2 | China | Man-portable air-defense system | QW-2 | Unknown | Unknown | ||
· Anti-aircraft gun
Mauser Mk 30
Mauser Mk 30
Name
Mauser Mk 30
Origin
Germany
Role
Anti-aircraft gun
Type
30mm. Twin AA gun
In service
8
Total
8
Type 74
Type 74
Name
Type 74
Origin
China
Role
Anti-aircraft gun
Type
37mm. Twin AA gun
In service
Unknown
Total
Unknown
Bofors 40L70
Bofors 40L70
Name
Bofors 40L70
Origin
Sweden
Role
Anti-aircraft gun
Type
40mm. AA gun
In service
Unknown
Total
Unknown
Twin M2HB
Twin M2HB
Name
Twin M2HB
Origin
USA
Role
Anti-aircraft gun
Type
12 . Twin AA gun
In service
Unknown
Total
Unknown
| Photo | Name | Origin | Role | Type | In service | Total | Notes | |
| Anti-aircraft gun | ||||||||
| | Mauser Mk 30 | Germany | Anti-aircraft gun | 30mm. Twin AA gun | 8 | 8 | ||
| | Type 74 | China | Anti-aircraft gun | 37mm. Twin AA gun | Unknown | Unknown | ||
| | Bofors 40L70 | Sweden | Anti-aircraft gun | 40mm. AA gun | Unknown | Unknown | ||
| | Twin M2HB | USA | Anti-aircraft gun | 12 . Twin AA gun | Unknown | Unknown | ||
· Armament
Python 4/3
Python 4/3
Name
Python 4/3
Origin
Israel
Type
Short range infrared homing missile
Notes
120 obtained.
AIM-120C AMRAAM
AIM-120C AMRAAM
Name
AIM-120C AMRAAM
Origin
United States
Type
Beyond-visual-range missile
Notes
Initial 50 missiles.
AIM-9E/J/P/M Sidewinder
AIM-9E/J/P/M Sidewinder
Name
AIM-9E/J/P/M Sidewinder
Origin
United States
Type
Short range infrared homing missile
Notes
600 missiles obtained.
IRIS-T
IRIS-T
Name
IRIS-T
Origin
Germany
Type
Short range infrared homing missile
Notes
40 units – employs a thrust vector control motor.
Meteor
Meteor
Name
Meteor
Origin
France
Type
Beyond-visual-range missile
Notes
Future operators.
RBS 15
RBS 15
Name
RBS 15
Origin
Sweden
Type
Anti-ship missile
Notes
25 missiles obtained.
AGM-65D/G Maverick
AGM-65D/G Maverick
Name
AGM-65D/G Maverick
Origin
United States
Type
Infrared imaging AGM
Notes
200 missiles obtained.
KGGB
KGGB
Name
KGGB
Origin
South Korea
Type
GPS-guided bomb kit
Notes
Attached to MK-82.
Lizard 3
Lizard 3
Name
Lizard 3
Origin
Israel
Type
Laser-guided bomb kit
Notes
Attached to MK-82 and MK-84.
GBU-10F/B Paveway II
GBU-10F/B Paveway II
Name
GBU-10F/B Paveway II
Origin
United States
Type
Laser-guided bomb
Notes
2000-pound
GBU-12E/B Paveway II
GBU-12E/B Paveway II
Name
GBU-12E/B Paveway II
Origin
United States
Type
Laser-guided bomb
Notes
500-pound
Mark 81 bomb
Mark 81 bomb
Name
Mark 81 bomb
Origin
United States
Type
Low-drag general-purpose bomb
Notes
250-pound
Mark 82 bomb
Mark 82 bomb
Name
Mark 82 bomb
Origin
United States
Type
Low-drag general-purpose bomb
Notes
500-pound
Mark 84 bomb
Mark 84 bomb
Name
Mark 84 bomb
Origin
United States
Type
Low-drag general-purpose bomb
Notes
2000-pound
BLU-10
BLU-10
Name
BLU-10
Origin
United States
Type
Napalm bomb
Notes
250-pound
BLU-23/BLU-32
BLU-23/BLU-32
Name
BLU-23/BLU-32
Origin
United States
Type
Napalm bomb
Notes
500-pound
BLU-27
BLU-27
Name
BLU-27
Origin
United States
Type
Napalm bomb
Notes
750-pound
Mk20 Rockeye II
Mk20 Rockeye II
Name
Mk20 Rockeye II
Origin
United States
Type
Cluster bomb
Notes
750-pound
CBU-71A/B
CBU-71A/B
Name
CBU-71A/B
Origin
United States
Type
Cluster bomb
Notes
750-pound
Hydra 70
Hydra 70
Name
Hydra 70
Origin
United States
Type
Unguided rocket
MK66
MK66
Name
MK66
Origin
Thailand
Type
Unguided rocket
| Photo | Name | Origin | Type | Notes | ||
| Air-to-air missile | ||||||
| | Python 4/3 | Israel | Short range infrared homing missile | 120 obtained. | ||
| | AIM-120C AMRAAM | United States | Beyond-visual-range missile | Initial 50 missiles. | ||
| | AIM-9E/J/P/M Sidewinder | United States | Short range infrared homing missile | 600 missiles obtained. | ||
| | IRIS-T | Germany | Short range infrared homing missile | 40 units – employs a thrust vector control motor. | ||
| | Meteor | France | Beyond-visual-range missile | Future operators. | ||
| Air-to-surface missile | ||||||
| | RBS 15 | Sweden | Anti-ship missile | 25 missiles obtained. | ||
| | AGM-65D/G Maverick | United States | Infrared imaging AGM | 200 missiles obtained. | ||
| Air-to-ground weaponry | ||||||
| | KGGB | South Korea | GPS-guided bomb kit | Attached to MK-82. | ||
| | Lizard 3 | Israel | Laser-guided bomb kit | Attached to MK-82 and MK-84. | ||
| | GBU-10F/B Paveway II | United States | Laser-guided bomb | 2000-pound | ||
| | GBU-12E/B Paveway II | United States | Laser-guided bomb | 500-pound | ||
| | Mark 81 bomb | United States | Low-drag general-purpose bomb | 250-pound | ||
| | Mark 82 bomb | United States | Low-drag general-purpose bomb | 500-pound | ||
| | Mark 84 bomb | United States | Low-drag general-purpose bomb | 2000-pound | ||
| BLU-10 | United States | Napalm bomb | 250-pound | |||
| BLU-23/BLU-32 | United States | Napalm bomb | 500-pound | |||
| BLU-27 | United States | Napalm bomb | 750-pound | |||
| | Mk20 Rockeye II | United States | Cluster bomb | 750-pound | ||
| CBU-71A/B | United States | Cluster bomb | 750-pound | |||
| | Hydra 70 | United States | Unguided rocket | |||
| MK66 | Thailand | Unguided rocket | ||||
· Future aircraft
Combat aircraft
Combat aircraft
Aircraft
Combat aircraft
JAS 39 Gripen
JAS 39 Gripen
Aircraft
JAS 39 Gripen
Origin
Sweden
Type
Multirole combat aircraft
Variant
JAS 39E/F
On order
(+12)
Notes
12 Gripen E/F's have been selected to replace the F-16s of 102 Squadron, Wing 1, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base
F-5 or Alpha Jet replacement
F-5 or Alpha Jet replacement
Aircraft
F-5 or Alpha Jet replacement
Origin
Unknown
Type
Multirole combat aircraft
Variant
Unknown
On order
Unknown
Notes
Set to begin with FY2031 budget according to 2025 RTAF Whitepaper.
403 Squadron F-16 replacement
403 Squadron F-16 replacement
Aircraft
403 Squadron F-16 replacement
Origin
Unknown
Type
Multirole combat aircraft
Variant
Unknown
On order
Unknown
Notes
Set to begin with FY2036 budget according to 2025 RTAF Whitepaper. Will be a Fifth-generation fighter.
Transport aircraft
Transport aircraft
Aircraft
Transport aircraft
Airbus A330 MRTT
Airbus A330 MRTT
Aircraft
Airbus A330 MRTT
Origin
Europe
Type
Transport / Tanker
Variant
Airbus A330 MRTT+
On order
(+1)
Notes
Set to replace the Airbus A340-500. Contract is expected to be signed by the end of 2025 with delivery commencing in 2028-2029.
Basler BT-67 replacement
Basler BT-67 replacement
Aircraft
Basler BT-67 replacement
Origin
Unknown
Type
Transport
Variant
Unknown
On order
Unknown
Notes
Set to begin with FY2031 budget according to 2025 RTAF Whitepaper.
ATR 72-500 replacement
ATR 72-500 replacement
Aircraft
ATR 72-500 replacement
Origin
Unknown
Type
Transport
Variant
Unknown
On order
Unknown
Notes
Set to begin with FY2031 budget according to 2025 RTAF Whitepaper.
Helicopter
Helicopter
Aircraft
Helicopter
Airbus H225M
Airbus H225M
Aircraft
Airbus H225M
Origin
Europe
Type
VIP / utility / CSAR
Variant
Unknown
On order
(+2)
Notes
2 additional H225M Medium Sized VIP Helicopters with utility and CSAR capabilities from Airbus Helicopters ordered
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | On order | Notes | |
| Combat aircraft | ||||||
| JAS 39 Gripen | Sweden | Multirole combat aircraft | JAS 39E/F | (+12) | 12 Gripen E/F's have been selected to replace the F-16s of 102 Squadron, Wing 1, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base | |
| F-5 or Alpha Jet replacement | Unknown | Multirole combat aircraft | Unknown | Unknown | Set to begin with FY2031 budget according to 2025 RTAF Whitepaper. | |
| 403 Squadron F-16 replacement | Unknown | Multirole combat aircraft | Unknown | Unknown | Set to begin with FY2036 budget according to 2025 RTAF Whitepaper. Will be a Fifth-generation fighter. | |
| Transport aircraft | ||||||
| Airbus A330 MRTT | Europe | Transport / Tanker | Airbus A330 MRTT+ | (+1) | Set to replace the Airbus A340-500. Contract is expected to be signed by the end of 2025 with delivery commencing in 2028-2029. | |
| Basler BT-67 replacement | Unknown | Transport | Unknown | Unknown | Set to begin with FY2031 budget according to 2025 RTAF Whitepaper. | |
| ATR 72-500 replacement | Unknown | Transport | Unknown | Unknown | Set to begin with FY2031 budget according to 2025 RTAF Whitepaper. | |
| Helicopter | ||||||
| Airbus H225M | Europe | VIP / utility / CSAR | Unknown | (+2) | 2 additional H225M Medium Sized VIP Helicopters with utility and CSAR capabilities from Airbus Helicopters ordered | |
References
- "World Air Forces 2025"https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=106507
- "Thailand signs first order for 4 Saab Gripen E/F fighters, deliveries from 2025"https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/thailand-signs-first-order-for-4-saab-gripen-e-f-fighters-deliveries-from-2025
- "กองทัพอากาศไทย มีเครื่องบินรบกี่ลำ (ในปี 64-68)"https://thaiarmedforce.com/2021/04/23/combat-aircraft-inventory-64-68-rtaf/
- The Thaigerhttps://thethaiger.com/hot-news/transport/a-bird-strike-may-have-caused-royal-thai-air-force-f-5-fighter-jets-recent-crashing
- "F-5 ของกองทัพอากาศตกที่ชัยบาดาล นักบินดีดตัวสำเร็จ บาดเจ็บ"https://thaiarmedforce.com/2021/12/03/f-5-ของกองทัพอากาศตกที่ชั/
- nationthailandhttps://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40061842
- 21 FEB 2018https://isranews.org/article/isranews-scoop/101393-saabbbb00.html
- "Royal Thai Air Force orders next generation Airbus A330 MRTT+"https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-09-royal-thai-air-force-orders-next-generation-airbus-a330-mrtt
- "Thai C-130H capability upgrades reach completion"https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air-warfare/capability-upgrades-of-thai-c-130hs-reach-completion/
- thaiarmedforcehttps://www.facebook.com/thaiarmedforce/posts/pfbid035PT6j46FLYhX7PE8FRnDRnF9n3eSTsv8Sua3xG2khAc4t6xwZctrzXk4txa2G4Gsl
- "A319 for VIPs"http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/a319-for-vips-184161/
- "Sukhoi Civil Aircraft to Deliver the Third SBJ to the Royal Thai Air Force"http://www.superjetinternational.com/media-center/sukhoi-civil-aircraft-to-deliver-the-third-sukhoi-business-jet-to-the-royal-thai-air-force/
- "Royal Thai Air Force retires five older Bell 412s"https://helihub.com/2021/10/21/royal-thai-air-force-retires-five-older-bell-412s/
- "Thai Airforce list"https://www.thai-aviation.net/_files/ugd/3b4903_2fc693fbd11044b5962bf7c8c87a8869.pdf
- "Thailand's Air Force Commissions First Four T-50TH Supersonic Advanced Trainers"https://www.defenseworld.net/news/22285/Thailand___s_Air_Force_Commissions_First_Four_T_50TH_Supersonic_Advanced_Trainers#.Xzm_cXPQF-E
- "World Air Forces 2018"https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/21905/waf/
- "Thai Airforce list"https://www.thai-aviation.net/_files/ugd/3b4903_2fc693fbd11044b5962bf7c8c87a8869.pdf
- Xhttps://x.com/thaiarmedforce/status/2002661908806246614?s=46&t=sX_4IV4ZpTGgqUQil_M_UA
- "UAV in Royal Thai Air Force"https://asitimes.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/uav-in-royal-thai-air-force/
- "The first Vega ride-share mission flight"https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4444&context=smallsat#page=4