BANGKOK, July 26 (TNA) – A budgetary sub-committee of the House rejected the government’s project to buy two F-35A fighter jets worth 7.4 billion baht.
Pheu Thai MP for Maha Sarakham Yuttapong Charasathien who is a deputy head of the sub-committee under the House committee scrutinizing the Budget Bill, said the sub-committee resolved to exclude the fighter jet procurement project from the 2023 Budget Bill because the air force did not confirm if the United States Congress would sell the jets to Thailand.
Besides, the process to discuss and execute the purchase would take as long as 20 months, he said.
Therefore, the 2023 budget should not be spent on the matter but should be used to help people affected by COVID-19 outbreaks first. The purchase of fighter jets was not an urgent matter, Mr Yutthapong said.
Air force chief-of-staff ACM Phanphakdi Phatthanakun said he petitioned against the resolution of the House sub-committee.
The procurement was necessary for the weaponry replacement of the air force and the air force expected a quotation and sale confirmation from the US next January and thus would not have to wait 20 months as Mr Yuttapong said. (TNA)
