US rejects Thailand's request to buy F-35 fifth-generation fighters, but offers F-15E or F-16V instead

Thailand wanted to order the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jets for the Royal Air Force. However

The US rejected the request. However, the Pentagon offers two alternatives at once.

What is known

The US Ambassador spoke about the rejection of the request inThailand Robert F. Gordec. He recently met with Longkorn Wannarot, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force.

According to the ambassador, the US State Departmentbelieves that Thailand does not have a sufficiently developed infrastructure to support the F-35. We are talking about runways, maintenance facilities and the level of security of air bases. At the same time, the United States is ready to consider the request again in 5-10 years.

</ img>

</ img>

An official response to the request will be given in Julycurrent year. Despite the reluctance to sell fifth-generation fighters, the United States will not leave Thailand without new aircraft. Alternatively, the Asian country will be able to order fourth-generation F-15E Strike Eagle or F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters upgraded to the Block 70/72 level.