The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has recently completed the process of receiving and commissioning eight (8) new AT-6TH Wolverine light attack aircraft acquired from the United States as part of its ongoing fleet modernization program. The delivery was carried out with the aim of strengthening the country’s operational and defense capabilities in a dynamic regional context (as seen days later with its southern neighbor, Cambodia).
The new aircraft have been assigned to Squadron 411, part of Wing 41 based in Chiang Mai. Their incorporation marks a significant step in the development of the Royal Thai Air Force’s light attack and reconnaissance capabilities. The AT-6TH Wolverine, manufactured by U.S. company Textron Aviation, is designed for close air support, armed surveillance, and tactical training missions.
In June, the RTAF celebrated the certification of eight pilots trained to operate the new weapon system. The ceremony, held at the Squadron 411 headquarters, represented an institutional milestone by consolidating the operational deployment of the new aircraft. During the event, the personnel’s commitment to fulfilling their missions and their readiness to operate in various scenarios were highlighted.
Subsequently, in July, the AT-6TH took part for the first time in an international joint military exercise. The aircraft were deployed as part of Exercise AIR THAISING 2025, conducted between the Royal Thai Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force. The bilateral training, which lasted until July 25, took place at Wing 1 Air Base in Nakhon Ratchasima and at the Chai Badan Air Weapons Training Range in Lopburi.
The purpose of Exercise AIR THAISING 2025 was to enhance interoperability between the two air forces and strengthen bilateral cooperation on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Singapore. In this edition, the AT-6TH operated alongside F-16 fighters from both countries, marking their first international exercise since joining the RTAF.
AT-6TH Wolverine details
The acquisition and deployment of the AT-6TH Wolverine reflect Thailand’s efforts to bolster its airpower and ensure the operational readiness of its units against contemporary security challenges. It is worth noting that this attack variant is derived from the T-6C Texan trainer and is designed to carry out close air support and surveillance missions. According to information released by the RTAF, these aircraft will be used for border patrol, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as counterinsurgency (COIN) operations.
As reported in July 2024, Textron Defense stated that “The Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine is a multi-mission aircraft system designed to meet a wide variety of warfighter needs (…) The AT-6 offers the most powerful allied-compatible ISR and targeting suite available, with an L3 Wescam MX-15D multisensor package that includes color and IR cameras, laser designator, laser illuminator, and laser rangefinder.”
Images: Royal Thai Air Force
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