CJ Logistics Corporation announced on October 7 that it had successfully completed a defense logistics project, transporting two T-50TH lead-in fighter training (LIFT) jets to the Royal Thai Air Force. These advanced jets, manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), were shipped from Sacheon, South Korea, to Thailand’s Takli Air Base. This intricate operation required disassembling the jets into major components—fuselage, wings, vertical stabilizer, and engine—before their journey. The components underwent domestic land transport, air transport, local unloading, and final land transport within Thailand. Upon arrival at Takli Air Base, the parts were meticulously reassembled, restoring the jets to full operational status. Transporting military equipment such as fighter jets poses significant logistical challenges, as the process is directly tied to national security.
Ensuring the integrity of the cargo during transit is of utmost importance, as any damage could delay delivery and incur significant repair costs. CJ Logistics implemented advanced strategies to overcome these challenges. To mitigate potential risks, the company analyzed the properties of the cargo, transportation methods, road conditions, and environmental factors, such as climate. Special vibration-free trailers were employed to minimize shock during land transport, and waterproof covers shielded the equipment from rain and corrosion. Additionally, high-strength elastic belts were used to secure the cargo during air transport, reducing the risk of damage from turbulence. CJ Logistics worked closely with the Royal Thai Air Force to ensure the transportation was secured, with military escorts ensuring safe transit through Thai roads.
This isn’t CJ Logistics’ first defense-related success. In 2022, the company was responsible for transporting nine Black Eagles T-50B aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force to the UK International Air Show. It also successfully delivered 12 FA-50GF aircraft to Poland over a six-month period last year. These experiences underscore CJ Logistics’ ability to handle complex, high-stakes defense projects both domestically and internationally. The company’s approach to each project is highly customized. For the T-50TH transport, the team conducted thorough studies on cargo weight, volume, and center of gravity to optimize handling and ensure safe delivery. The speed of transport vehicles was carefully controlled to prevent any mishaps during transit.
The T-50TH variant is part of the larger T-50 Golden Eagle family, South Korea’s first indigenous supersonic aircraft, developed by KAI in collaboration with Lockheed Martin. Originally designed as an advanced trainer, the T-50 family has evolved into various configurations, including light attack and combat versions. The T-50’s versatility has made it a popular choice worldwide, with Iraq, Indonesia, the Philippines, Poland, and Malaysia also operating or ordering variants of the aircraft.
Thailand first selected the T-50TH in 2015 to replace its aging L-39 Albatros trainers. The RTAF has signed a contract worth around US$72 million for two additional T-50TH Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) jets manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). T-50TH is a version of the T-50 for the Royal Thai Air Force. with some FA-50 light combat aircraft equipment and capability such as EL/M-2032 radar, MIL-STD-1760 interface, 20 mm gun, radar warning receiver, and countermeasures dispenser system. The purchase had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All of the RTAF’s T-50TH aircraft are currently in service with 401 Light Attack Squadron based in Takhli, central Thailand.
The RTAF has already received 12 of the lead-in fighter training aircraft it has ordered in two separate contracts in 2015 and 2017 respectively. In 2015, the RTAF ordered four T-50TH in a contract worth $110 million. A follow-up contract worth US$260 million for 8 additional T-50TH trainer jets was signed in 2017. Deliveries began in January 2018, and the country has since received 12 units, with the T-50TH playing a key role in modernizing the Royal Thai Air Force. Another US$52 million contract for the installation of EL/M-2032 radar, MIL-STD-1760 databus, Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) and related avionics to upgrade the aircraft to full combat-capable status was awarded in 2019.
