Textron‘s (NYSE: TXT) aviation defense subsidiary has won a $143 million contract to provide eight Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine light-attack aircraft, related equipment and training services to the Thai air force.
Thailand will become the first international operator of the U.S.-made multimission aircraft platform in a deal that reflects mutual defense cooperation between the two countries, the company said Saturday.
Thomas Hammoor, president and CEO of Textron Aviation Defense, said the Thai air force chose the company’s Beechcraft AT-6 offering to replace the military service’s aging Aero L-39 Albatros aircraft fleet and support border security missions in the Asian country.
Under the contract, the company will train military aircraft maintenance crew in Thailand starting 2023 and commence pilot training in Wichita, Kansas, the following year.
The award follows the Thai government’s procurement of T-6TH Texan II military training aircraft in 2020.
