Parliament, Armed Forces Commanders to Clarify to the Defense Budget Committee for 2025, Air Force Commander Reveals "Sutin" Proposes 2 Fighter Aircraft Models Today, Asks to Wait for Signal to Clarify to Society Reporters reported that the Special Committee on the Consideration of the Draft Budget Act for the Fiscal Year 2025 considered the budget for the Ministry of Defense in the amount of 200,293 million baht, which received an increased budget allocation of 5,179 million baht or 2.65 percent. With General Sanitchanok Sangchan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, General Songwit Noonpakdee, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, General Jeronchai Hinthao, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, Admiral Adung Pan-eiam, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, and Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force, all participating. And today's highlight that we need to keep an eye on is the Navy's problem with the submarine procurement. Later, there will be a contract amendment regarding the engine replacement and a request for an extension of the delivery period. While the Air Force is procuring a new squadron of fighter jets to replace its fleet of decommissioned aircraft in the future, before the meeting, Air Chief Marshal Panphakdi Phatthanakul, the Air Force commander, spoke about the progress of the selection of a new squadron of fighter jets between the Gripen E/F from Sweden's SABB and the F-16 Block 70 from Lockheed Martin, USA. He said that he had discussed it with Defense Minister Sutin Khlangsaeng yesterday (9 July) and explained the selection of both fighter jets to the Defense Minister, stating the advantages and disadvantages of each type, as well as what the manufacturers will receive from them. Sutin stated that he would report this information to Prime Minister Sathit Thaveesin today (9 July). As for the Air Force's press conference schedule, it will be at the Prime Minister's discretion whether to assign Sutin or the Air Force to make a clear statement to the public. Admiral Adung briefly mentioned the progress of the submarine purchase contract amendment that has not yet been submitted to the cabinet, saying that he learned from the news that the Minister of Defense is preparing to present it to the prime minister next week. As for Mr. Suthin's statement that he still has to wait for a response from China on another important issue, he did not know. As for Gen. Charoenchai, he said before entering the meeting with a confident face that there was nothing to worry about. The reporter reported that before the budget committee meeting began, there was an informal discussion between the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, including the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force and the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. Source: Thai News Agency