กองทัพอากาศไทย - Kongtap Agard Thai - Royal Thai Air Force

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                                        Last update 05-03-2024

Procurement
The most advanced fighter available to the Royal Thai Air Force at the mid of the 1960' were the North American F-86F day and F-86D all-weather fighters, which equipped each one Squadron.
Thailand was not high in the priority of the US Military Assistance Program list for new fighters, but consideration to supply the Freedom Fighter was given from the very planning beginning.


The Northrop F-5A / RF-5A/ F-5B

US Military Assistance Program (MAP)
Thailand was since the 1960s' dependent on US Military Assistance Programm to equip its armed forces.
In 1964 the US Military Assistance Program had a program to replace one Squadron of North American F-86F with Northrop F-5s.
Delivery was scheduled as follows: US Fiscal Year (FY, which runs from October 1st of the previous to September 30th of the mentioned year) 1967 2 aircrafts, FY 1968 5 aircrafts, US FY 1969 8 aircrafts for a total of
15 aircrafts at a foreseen cost of USD 13.4 millions. A Mobile Training Unit was to train crews to the new fighter; the team remained at least until 1978.
An additional 3 aircrafts were added for the FY 70 during the FY 1965 and a plan modification was requested, asking early delivery of 2 two-seater (April 1966) as well as 8 aircrafts in November 1966 and 8 in 1967.

                                                                                                   Photo: R.Thai AF

                                                                                                       Unloading of an Northrop F-5B from US carrier USS Breton

Actual MAP deliveries





   Acceleration of the MAP program enabled the hand-over of the first two Northrop F-5Bs at  McClellan AFB on 11-02-65;
   but they flew in USAF colours for local crew training. They were delivered to Thailand by the aircraft carrier USS  Brenton
   and first noted at Don Muang Air Force AFB in March 1966.


   The second Northrop F-5B 38438 seen in 1967  at Don Muang AFB without any Thai code.



   Photo: unknown









First four Northrop F-5A single-seaters were handed over at McClellan AFB in April 1967, followed in 1968 by another 4. Four badly needed reconnaissance Northrop RF-5A were delivered in 1970, while 4 additional
Northrop F-5A followed in 1971 and 6 former USAF were handed over at McClellan AFB on 20-12-73 reaching Thailand in 1974.

A former South Vietnamese two-seater was added in April 1975 on collapse of this country; two ex Malaysian AF Northrop F-5B were added to the fleet on 18-09-82.

The end of active Freedom Fighters acquisition came in 1987; former Jordanian, Republic of China and Ethiopian aircrafts were considered, but not bought. The Ethiopian ones were inspected by a Thai team but
described in a very poor status. Only two former USAF Northrop F-5B were eventually bought, reaching a grand total of 18 Northrop F-5A single-seaters (plus the 5 former Republic of China for spare retrieval only),
4 Northrop RF-5A, 7 Northrop F-5B; deliveries of US aircrafts were made by ship.

Withdrawal from active use of the remaining aircrafts came, according to information, during 2000.

However, this was not the end of airframes acquisition. Five single-seaters were bought at an unknown date from the Republic of China AF (Taiwan) for retrieval of spares only; they were noted for the first time at
the Bangkok Air Force museum in November 2008. Spares were also obtained in 2008 from the Philippines as a swap with parts of the withdrawn from use Thai OV-10 Bronco.

Losses
Losses due to various reasons (training, collisions, war operations) were high. Known are: 14 Northrop F-5A (at least 2 due to war operations), 3 Northrop RF-5A, 3 Northrop F-5B. One additional Northrop F-5A
might have been lost.

The Northrop F-5E / F-5E
Air defence of US bases and Thai sky was taken care by USAF units during the Vietnam war, but with the end of the Vietnam Thailand was confronted wirh a new task: air space defence.

Initially an objective of two Northrop F-5 Squadrons for the Fiscal Years 1978 to 1985 was set, but this acquisition was opposed by the USA and given a very low priority. In May 1975 the US objective was reduced
to one Squadron (the one already operational on Freedom Fighters).

The Thai Air Force anyhow had become active in April 1975 requesting a Letter of Offer for 16 Northrop F-5E/F-5F to the US government to increase the number of fighters. On its side, the Thai government negotiated
one month later, in May 1975, directly with Northrop Corporation the purchase of 15 Northrop F-5E and 3 F-5F for a total cost of approximately USD 67.8 million.  None of these requests were supported by the USA,
discouraging a Thai purchase. The Letter of Offer and Acceptance expired on 30-11-75 without being accepted by the Thai government, possibly due to its hope of obtaining the fighter through US grant aid, not
having to recur to Foreign Military Sales.

A second, under the Foreign Military Sale program Peace Eternal, attempt (due to the tension in the area) was started and a Letter of Offer and Acceptance was signed by the government on 12-03-76 for the purchase
of 13 Northrop F-5E and 3 F-5F at a cost of approximately USD 75m, including support equipment and spares. These were to equip a Tiger unit, to be activated in June 1978 primarly for the air superiority/defence roles,
with a secondary mission of ground support and interdiction. Payment took place between 1976 and 1979.

 Delivery/assembly of 5 Northrop F-5E and 3 F-5F was in May 1978 at Don Muang AB (successively flown to their base, Khorat AB); on 21-08-78 eight single-seaters were delivered by Douglas C-5, via McClellan AF.
First official acceptance of 6 Northrop F-5E/F-5F for the 102th Squadron actually took place on 25-09-78 at Don Muang AFB. Actual delivery took place between 1978 and 1979. Initial armament were only AIM-9J Sidewinder.
Tigers were assembled locally by Air Force (Air Engeneering Department), Thai Airways, and Northrop personell. Official induction ceremony
In June of 1978 the Thai government had already requested four more Northrop F-5E at the cost of USD 15m to increase the Squadron's strength, augmenting its ground-attack capacity. The request was approved
and delivery was on 03-08-79 by Lockheed C-141.
                                                                                           Photo: Northrop
                                                                              Second batch Northrop F-5E 91681 seen on a test flight before delivery; of note the shark-mouth nose.

As the situation in the area was tense (following communist take-over of S. Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) consideration was given on 12-05-76 for the purchase of an additional 18 Northrop F-5E and 3 F-5F.
to be delivered not later then 1980, and a "Fighter Project Commitee Interception with air-to-air missile" was established for purchase with Foreign Military Sale funds. Government approval was given on
12-03-76, a request for details was handed over to the USA on 08-03-78. Strangely these were thought as partial replacement for two North American T-28 ground-attack Squadrons!

A positive US answer for the request of this second batch of Tigers was given on 21-04-78 under the name of project Peace Rama. There were three delivery/costs options: the lower, first was for delivery
in 1980, the others had later delivery and higher payment schedules. Definitive approval was given by the US Government by the end of 1978 with delivery/costs according to the first option mentioned
above. Costs were: USD 41.6 millins for 13 single-seaters, USD 12.5 millions, USD 11.2 millions for spare parts for 18 months use and additional USD 17.8 for various services. Total USD 75.0 millions.

Additional AIM-9J were purchased during 1978-1979 at a cost 441.7 millions Baht.
            
            Northrop F-5F 61613 at McClellan AFB on 28-04-78, ready for delivery.                             Northrop F-5F 91681 at McClellan AFB on -10-80, ready for delivery in second camouflage.
                                                                  Photo: archive The Northrop F-5 Enthusiast                                                                                                           Photo: Keith Heywood

All above mentioned deliveries were accompanied by US training teams, both military and civilians. The aircrafts were flown into Bangkok-Don Muang AFB by Lockheed C-5A, initial 8 single/double
seaters arriving on 26-05-78.

 Following Vietnamese and Cambodian incursions in 1979 and 1980 Thailand requested on 28-02-80 laser guided bombs and Maverick missiles (these last had already been requested in 1977, but negated) to arm the
ground attack dedicated Tigers. The request was approved by March and an offer was issued including cockpit modification of 20 Northrop F-5E/F-5F, 300 Mavericks at the total cost of USD 39.5m, including spares,
support equipment, training. Training was to be provided by the USAF in December 1980.

                                                                                               Photo: USA the National Archives
                                                                                        Initail upperfuselage/wings colours view of a Northrop F-5E on 16-02-84 for excecise
                                                                                        Cope Thunder with the shadow of an USAF McDonnell F-15 in the background.

Thailand purchased from the USAF in 1987 a final batch of 8 former 26th Squadron Northrop F-5Es (inclusive two for spares retrieval only) to make good various losses.

Total Thai purchase of Northrop F-5E, F-5F was according to official USA documents (as reported above) 41 (plus one for spares) single- and 6 double-seaters. A check of serials shows 40 single- and 6 double-seaters,
plus one for spare retrieval only which has no local serial.

An official USA document mentions there were by 01-04-99 eight Northrop F-5A and F-5B (almost certainly 5 and 3), 1 Northrop RF-5A and 39 Northrop F-5E/F (though another point of the document 37 are mentioned)
in the Air Force inventory.
                                                                                      

                                                                                     







     Hectic pre-flight activity on February 16th, 1984 at Clark AFB;  aircrafts of the first and second lot (in the background,
     sharkmouth nose) are visible.







      Photo: USAF








Decline of the Northrop fighter
The decline of Northrop F-5 operation as most advanced fighter started with the receipt of the first on an initial batch of 8 General Dynamics F-16A and 4 F-16B in May 1988, followed by a second batch of 7 single-seaters,
taking over the air defence and (partially) ground attack role. Additional 12 General Dynamics F-16A and 6 F-16B followed from September 1995. These equipped two former Tiger Squadrons.

Partial upgrade
Northrop F-5E/ F-5F, Northrop F-5A/ F-5B were still useful in the fighter and ground attack role, receiving a first avionics upgrade in 1987 under the supervision of the USAF; it included a GEC-Marconi head-up display and
Litton LN-39 Inertial Navigation System and mission computer.

 First phase upgrade F-5T/F-5TF Tigris
Initial discussions for a second Tigers upgrade started in 1996; installation of a pulse-Doppler radar programme was considered; Northrop Grumman was contacted for a similar upgrade as its Tiger IV (Westinghouse
APG-66 radar), Elbit/Singapore Aerospace Technologies for a Grifo F retrofit (as for Singapore), Lockheed Martin for its APG-67 radar and Israel Aircraft Industries for the Elta 2034. A structural life-extension programme
was also foreseen. Unfortunately this ambitous plan had to be postponed due to budgetary problems.

The upgrade request was again included in an Air Force development plan that was presented for approval to the Thai cabinet in April 2000, including a contract for the value of USD 66m to locally upgrade 27 Northrop F-5E
and 4 F-5F with the assistance of the Israeli company Elbit Systems, selected in preference to Singapore Technologies Aerospace. Payment included a 30% share of barter trade arrangements. Foreseen was the installation
of an Elbit mission computer, a new fire-control radar, new Electronic Countermeasures Systems, improved identification Friend or Foe system, plus Python 3/Python 4 air-to-air missiles with DASH helmet. Extension of
service life of the engine and structure allowed an extension of service life from 7'200 to 9'000 flying hors till 2018/2020. All this at a cost of approximately USD 2.5/3.0m per aircraft.

                                                                                     
                                                                                   Northrop F-5F 40301/91708 rolls to the runway with Python 3 for tests over the Gulf of Siam.

It was planned originally to install a new multi-mode radar, but due to budgetary constraints the radar upgrade was cancelled and only the old Emerson APG-159 radars were refurbished.

This upgrade was to wait till 2003 to be finalized due to lack of funds; 18 were foreseen, only 12 single- and 3 double-seaters (all of the last batch) were modified and identified. Elbit supplied kits to
upgrade the airframes locally; the modified aircrafts were designated F-5T and F-5TF Tigris.

                                                                                     
                                                                                     Northrop F-5T 21128/91702 seen over Don Muang AB on 14-01-12; clearly visible the new
                                                                                     RWR on the tail and the antenna behind the cockpit.

There were 39 aircrafts in service in 2004 according to an official US source.

The last Freedom Fighter flight (by an F-5B)was performed on 18-12-07 at Don Muang AFB by Northrop F-5B 70101/38436. An official retirement ceremony took place next day before being transferred to the
National Aviation Museum where it still is exhibited.

A new modification program for the remaining aircrafts, particularly regarding a new radar system  was undertaken; Elbit Systems  announced on 22-10-14 the signature of a contract valued at USD 85m mainly
for the avionics upgrade to be performed over 3 years of 10 Northrop F-5s belonging to an unmentioned Asian Air Force. This is an follow-on contract for the earlier upgraded Thai Northrop F-5T Tigris, limited
by funding cuts. It is believed concerning of 7 single- 3 doublseaters.

An new request was made in August 2017 for USD 96.1 millions to update additional 4 Tigers to Northrop F-5ET, in addition to the ten already upgraded. It included structural improvements that prolongued
service life by 15 years, as well as installation of a Link-T tactical  data link to enable them to communicate to the air command-and control. A new multi-mode radar allowed beyond-visual-rang capability (possibily an
Elta ELM-2032 from Israel). Rafael Python-4 and Elbit DASH IV helmet-mounted sight as already mounted in first batch, Rafael Lightening 3 targeting and Skyshield ECM pods to be added to the aircrafts; the commu-
nication was suite replaced by jam-resistant Have Quick sets.  Rafael Advanced Defence Systems (Elbit) leaded the upgrade but work was executed by state-owned Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) in Thailand. Two
prototype aircrafts were to be modified in Israel by Rafael, the following ones in Thailand by Air Force engineers, works to be completed by 2020. .
Two prototype arcrafts were modified as pattern aircrafts by Rafael; one upgraded Northrop F-5FT was delivered in May 23-05-18; four single-seaters have full upgrade, while ten single-seaters received only radar
upgrade.
                                                                                                  Photo: Angkasa-Review
                                                                                            Northrop F-5FT in new camouflage; serial 2110/91708, prepares for next mission

Officially, by not confirmed source, has stated that Singapore during 2018 donated a number of withdrawn F-5s to be used for spare parts; other unofficial sources mention a total of about 3 airframes.

Second phase upgrade
Further improvements and a new camouflage for a total of nearly USD 100millions were part of a total of 12 single-seater (Northrop F-5TH) and 2 double-seaters (Northrop F-5THF), all belonging to the
211th Squadron based at Ubon Ratchathani AB. Funds for the upgrades of an initial 10 Northrop F-5 were approvend in 2015, for additional 4 on 01-08-17.

First Northrop F-5ETH (code 21137) and Northrop F-5FTH (code 21105) were upgraded by Elbit Systems (Israel); they were shown in 14-11-19 at Bangkok-Don Muang AB during the comissioning ceremony,
while the single seater could also be seen at Changi AB (Singapore) on 13-02-20.

                                                                                      
                                                                                               Upgrated Northrop F-5FTH at Don Muang AB on 14-11-19, commissioning day
     Official 40 years of Tiger operation (160'000 flight hours) and, contemporarelly, latest model prototype model (a two-seater) hand-over by Elbit, took place was on 23-05-19 at Ubon AFB   

                              
                Illustration showing all possible configuration                                                  Northrop F-5T armed with new air-to-air Derby/Python 4 missiles, aircraft foreseen to remain in use to at least the 2030s.

                                                                                             All photos: R Thai AF                                                  
                                                                           Underfuselage of a new updated camouflage colour; the single-seater armed is armed with Iris-T missiles
                                                                           Northrop F-5TH 21137/41575 and Northrop F-5THF 21105/91692

According to an official statement the first Super Tigris modified two-seater Northrop F-5F crashed on 03-12-2021. It was foreseen to keep in use 16 Northrop F-5T and 14 Northrop F-5TH till 2031-2036.

 At least eleven Northrop F-5s of the 211 Squadron were had been upgraded by November 2021. Last 2 (1 double- and one single-seater) of 14 secoond upgrade aircrafts were delivered in February 2023.
The first and second fase of modernisation was therefore completed; 13 seats were ordered for the third upgrading fase, contemplating change of ejector seat to Martin Baker Mk.16. This enabled
to keep the fighter in use for another 15 years

Official closing ceremony for the Phase 1 (Northrop F-5T) and Phase II  (Northrop F-5TH was held at Nakon Ratshahani on 16-02-22.) Thai AF has not officially  announced how many single- and
double-seaters have been convetred to the new standard; 211 Squadron had 3 double- and 11 single-seaters.

 Replacements
Review of a replacement for some of the remaining Tigers started in 2003; this included possible purchase of additional Lockheed Martin F-16s or of SAAB Gripens, Sukhoi Su-30s. The Swedish aircraft was selected
(together with two SAAB 340 Erieye AEW aircrafts) and acquisition of 12 aircrafts at cost of approximately USD 1 billion in October 2007 was approved by the the government.
Contracts for an initial batch of 4 single- and 2 double-seaters was signed only on 11-02-08, for a second batch of 6 single-seaters on 23-11-10, needing a postponement of the replacement date for the last non-
upgraded Tigers belonging to the 701st Squadron at Surat Thani (Southern Thailand), not far from Malaysia. These were to be redistributed to the 211th Squadron, which would be the only Northrop F-5 operating unit,
keeping the upgraded and, for some time the non-upgraded, aircrafts in service.

Additionally, a new air defence system was also built in Southern Thailand around the Gripen, the Erieye and ground command and control systems.

The first 6 SAAB Gripen arrived at Surat Thani on 22-02-11 and on 08-07-11 the new air defence system was declared operational, while the last two Northrop F-5Es and one F-5B were transferred to Ubon-
Ratchathani AFB on 11-10-12, when the Gripens were fully operational.

                                                                                       
                                                                                           ex USAF Northrop F-5E 70134/41575 posing with its successor Saab J-39 70105

The 2020 Thai white paper on defence includes studies for a replacement aircraft for both the Northrop's F-5s Tiger and the General Dynamic's F-16s Fighting Falcon while by
2023 all the Northrop F-5 had been upgraded and the project had been closed.

Spares use only
Two former USAF, 26th Aggressor Squadron, were obtained in 1988 for spares use only,

                                                                                     
                                                                              Northrop F-5E 26 red at Bangkok-Don Muang; might be serial 74-01562 used for spares retrieval only

For spares use only was the gift by August 2017 of Northrop F-5S from Singapore (possibly e to around 10 airframes); Singapore has used only Tigers, normal and updated versions Photographs of two
SiA/Northrop F-5T used as monument at the Air Force museum and flying training school confirm part of it.
 
Preserved aircrafts

Some withdrawn from use aircrafts were transferred to the Air Force museum at Bangkok (several Northrop F-5A, 1 Northrop RF-5A, 1 Northrop F-5B, 1 Northrop F-5E) as well as preserved at various Air Bases.

              
    Northrop F-5A 70143/38371 and RF-5A 70104/97158 at the Don Muang AFB                                      Northrop F-5E 71113/91695 at the Don Muang AFB museum on 06-07-05
    seen on 10-01-07.                                                                        Photo: V. Bertschi
   

By 23-01-14 there were F-5A two fuselages only and one full airframe in an hangar at Don Muang AB and three ex Republic of China AF airframes in store at the Air Force museum at Don Muang AFB.

                                                                                               Photo: Sompong Nondhasa
                                                                                      Impressive monument at the Air Force Academy, 24-06-12: Northrop F-5A 23144/ 97159
                                                                                      Northrop F-5E 71112/ 61665, as well as an F-86F and an F-16