By signing support contract for IRIS-T missile system
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has signed a support contract with Diehl Defence with respect to the IRIS-T short-range missile system. This follows a long-lasting, extensive and successful collaboration of both sides on the deployment of IRIS-T missiles from Diehl Defence on RTAF aircraft.
On October 16, the RTAF is already operating Gripen, F-16 and F-5 aircraft, all of which already feature IRIS-T missiles from Diehl Defence as armament. The new contract, signed in Germany at the beginning of October, aims at enhancing the RTAF’s capability for the operation of IRIS-T across their entire fleet. It covers integration support, technical logistic support and live firing support.
By signing this agreement with Diehl Defence, the RTAF is again stepping ahead, proving their extraordinary capabilities to integrate and to certify new weapons into their existing fleet, following the successful integration of IRIS-T into their F-5 TH aircraft.
For Diehl Defence this agreement is yet another milestone to strengthen the long-lasting collaboration with the RTAF and to widen the usage of IRIS-T to further platforms. Diehl Defence’s IRIS-T is a 5th-generation short-range air-to-air missile, fully integrated into Eurofighter Typhoon, Gripen, F-16, EF-18, F-5 and Tornado. Currently, the integration of the IRIS-T missile into the Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI) KF-21 fighter aircraft is ongoing.
