THAILAND INTERESTED IN JAPANESE US-2 AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT

Japanese ShinMaywa US-2

THAILAND - The Defense Minister (and Prime Minister) of the Kingdom of Thailand in exclusive interview with the japanese agency Kyodo News said that Royal Thai Air Force had expressed interest in the ShinMaywa US-2 seaplane. At the moment, the aircraft operates only with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force, which aims to export it to other countries. That is a Japanese large STOL amphibious aircraft designed for air-sea rescue (SAR) work. The US-2 is scheduled to replace the older ShinMaywa US-1.

He emphasized that '' it is necessary to comprehensively determine price and convenience''. If the conditions are agreeable, he suggested to start a specific study toward the purchase. Other countries like India and Indonesia also have shown their interest in buying US-2 aircraft. The Minister did not mention the role, but could be assumed that is a non-military plane, such as for extinguishing of forest fires.

SOURCE: Defense Studies