Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) held closing ceremony of modernized F-5TH Super Tigris first phase and second phase at Wing 21 Ubon Ratchathani on 16 February 2023. 14 of Northrop F-5E and F-5F of 211st Squadron, Wing 21 have been modernized to F-5E/F TH Super Tigris standard by Israeli firm Elbit Systems LTD. and domestic aerospace firm Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) and RV Connex (all photos : RTAF)
Closing Ceremony of the Fighter Aircraft Capability Improvement Project F-5E/F TH Super Tigris Phase 1 and Phase 2 on February 16, 2023 at Squadron 211, Wing 21, Ubon Ratchathani, is a sign that the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) received the F-5E/F TH that has been fully modernized. 14 machines already The F-5E TH single-seat fighter aircraft, number 21112, and the two-seat F-5F TH fighter aircraft, number 21104 displayed at the ceremony were probably the last two unit finished upgraded.
The F-5TH Super Tigris fighter aircraft capability improvement project has been started since 2018, which is the third modernization of the Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II fighter aircraft that has been in service with the Royal Thai Air Force since 1978.
It was implemented by Elbit Systems Israel and Thai Aviation Industries (TAI: Thai Aviation Industries) and Thai RV Connex under a ten-year purchase and development (P&D) policy to promote the development of the aviation industry of Thailand.
The F-5TH Super Tigris capability improvement program includes a number of performance enhancements and higher capabilities. The new weapon system is the Diehl IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile from Germany, which works in conjunction with the helmet-mounted Elbit systems DASH IV display.
As well as Elbit Systems LIZARD 3 laser guided bombs, which can be seen from the closing ceremony of the 1st and 2nd phases of this project that F-5E TH 21112 and F-5F TH 21104 on display is equipped with IRIS-T air-to-air missiles on the wingtips and LIZARD 3 guided bombs on the underwings.
However, because the Royal Thai Air Force lost F-5F No. 21105, which was the first two-seat version to be upgraded to the F-5TH Super Tigris standard, in a flying bird accident during an operational competition Tactical Air on December 3, 2021, that is make 211 squadron there are only two fighter jets left, the F-5F two-seat version, number 21106, which has been updated to the F-5F TH Super Tigris, and number 21104, which has also been updated at this latest ceremony.
F-5E/F Capability Improvement Project Phase 3 with documents announced by the Directorate of Operations, Royal Thai Air Force on 21 September 2022 with the winner being Martin Baker Aircraft, UK.
For the purchase of 15 pilot ejection seats, the Martin-Baker Mk.16 model is a change from the document announced on November 29, 2021 for the purchase of 17 pilot ejection seats, amount 251,846,382. .25 baht or 5,614,290 British Pound ($7,429,103).
Makes it quite clear that from the location of the improvement project F-5E/F TH 14 machines, there are only 13 machines that have been actually improved, according to the purchase of a Martin-ejection seat Martin Baker Mk.16, 15 units, divided into 4 units mounted on 2 F-5F TH and 11 units mounted on 11 F-5E TH.
The improvement in capability will allow the Royal Thai Air Force to continue to operate the F-5E/F TH fighter aircraft for about year 2029-2032, which is the time when there should be a new fighter aircraft to replace it.
(AAG)