By 04 April 2017
RTA AH-1F Cobra attack helicopter (photo : wingsofsiam)
Another issue that has resurfaced in recent years is the launch of a new attack helicopter by the Royal Thai Army to replace the seven AH-1F in the 3rd Battalion Army Aviation Centers.
Composed of AH-1F, supplied in 1991, 3 machines from the original 4 units (1 unit fall at the north over 10 years ago) and the four units AH-1F EDA repaired in a year 2011.
AH-1F is the same as UH-1H with long life and no spare parts production line. Need to be discharged in the near future.
Chinese Z-10 attack helicopter (photo : pakwheels)
The Army Aviation Center needs 8 new helicopters to fly, but no information is available what type of attack is this now? Attack helicopters are : France-Germany Tiger, Leonardo A129 Mangusta, Italy/Turkish Aerospace Industries T129 ATAK, Russian Mil Mi-28NM and may include with Chinese Z-10.
However, the need to provide new attack helicopters to replace the AH-1F is still in limited budget. The Army needs to supply helicopters for general use, such as the need for AW-149 and Mi-17V5 for new more, etc.
(AAG)
