In early 1942, the Royal Thai Air Force placed an order with Japan for twelve Nakajima Ki-27b Nate fighters, manufactured under Nakajima Company license by Mantsyu Hikoki Seizo Company in Harbin, Manchuria. The Ki-27 was named Aircraft Type 15, now known as Fighter Type 12. The Royal Thai Air Force preferred to call it ?Ota? after the city where Nakajima Company was located.