F-16 upgrades in wake of double crash

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F-16 upgrades in wake of double crash
By Piyanart Srivalo
The Nation
16/2/2011

The Defence Ministry has earmarked a Bt6.9-billion secret budget for the upgrade of six F-16 AB fighter aircraft, including the installation of an air navigation system and maintenance costs.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsu-wan informed the government about the spending plan at yesterday's Cabinet meeting, government deputy spokesman Watchara Kannikar said.

The budget will be spread over a three-year period, starting with the initial outlay of Bt1 billion for the current fiscal year.

The price tag for aircraft navigation is estimated at US$205 million (Bt6.56 billion), but the actual disbursement will hinge on the exchange rate fluctuation. The budgetary earmark came in the wake of the crash of two F-16 ADF fighter jets on Monday. Prawit reported to the Cabinet that Air Force investigators were investigating the cause of the crash during the Cobra Gold exercise in Chaiyaphum.

He said the investigators would check physical evidence, weather reports, relevant flight data and testimonies of the two pilots who safely ejected, before drawing a conclusion. He said his initial assumption was that it was an accident and not a mechanical malfunction.

The two jets were refurbished before being deployed by the Air Force in 2002.

Meanwhile, more than 200 Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) members scoured the crash sites in Chaiyaphum yesterday out of concern some hazardous items or explosives were scattered in the area.

The operation lasted from 9am till 4pm and ammunition and explosives were retrieved. They were all sent to a military base in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The RTAF also cordoned off the area within a 3-km radius of the crash sites for at least two more days.

Large machinery will be brought in to dig up the debris of the warplanes. Some parts were buried up to 10 metres into the ground following the impact of the crashes.

The first crash site is at the foot of a mountain by Wang Phon-Nong Kwang village. The second is by Hin Neeb Village. Both are in Chaiya-phum's Mueang district.
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[nookiebear]

It seems pretty obvious that they did have a 'mid air'collision