US company will partner local contractor in modernising up to 12 Hercules with air traffic management suite

Rockwell Collins has won a contract to upgrade six of Thailand's Lockheed Martin C-130H transports - the first sign that the nation's upgrade and procurement programmes could go ahead despite the recent military coup.

Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) will serve as prime contractor for the programme, with Collins to provide an installation team to work on the first two aircraft.

TAI personnel will be in charge for the remaining four aircraft, with the US firm to provide supervision. To be conducted at TAI's facilities at Takhli airbase, the upgrade will add global air traffic management equipment required for operations in Europe, including new radios, navigation devices and radar, plus an autopilot and flight management system.

TAI plans to start work next year and to have all six aircraft modified by 2009, when it expects to launch a follow-on phase to upgrade a further six C-130 Hercules.

Thailand is also due to award Lockheed a contract for a structural upgrade to its air force fleet of F-16A/Bs, with work expected to start in late 2007 and to conclude by late 2010. Both programmes secured funding during the fiscal year ending 31 September. Although the US government imposed sanctions against the country in the wake of the September coup, cutting $24 million in funding, Washington did not ban foreign military sales.

Industry sources say Thailand's interim government and its successor could defer military procurements while addressing the current political crisis, or increase spending on national welfare and infrastructure projects. Requirements include new-generation fighters, search and rescue helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, airborne early warning and control aircraft, unmanned air vehicles and additional Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk utility and Boeing CH-47 transport helicopters