Thailand’s air force to be renamed ‘Royal Thai Air and Space Force’

​​​​​​ISTANBUL

The Royal Thai Air Force announced plans Tuesday that it will be renamed, the Royal Thai Air and Space Force beginning April 1.

The restructuring was confirmed by Air Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee, spokesman for the Thai Air Force. He said the move is to address emerging "space threats and safeguard Thailand's national space interests."

A Coordination Center for National Interests in Air and Space will be established to collaborate with internal and external agencies, as part of the restructuring, he added.

A draft law on both moves will be reviewed by the Defense Council, parliament and the Constitutional Court, with implementation expected by 2028 following a royal endorsement and publication in the Royal Gazette.

In addition, Sornchaidee revealed plans to launch two new satellites in 2025 to replace existing ones that are reaching the end of their operational lifespan by the middle of 2025.