Thai Defence & Economy Forum

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Royal Thai Army Unveils its new DTI-1G guided MLRS and ATMOS 2000 self-propelled artillery system
Jan 20, 2016
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ATMOS 2000 and DTI-1G guided MLRS (photos : DTI)
Royal Thai Army put its new DTI-1G guided MLRS and ATMOS 2000 self-propelled artillery system during the Royal Thai Armed Force Day ceremony.

DTI-1G is the guided version and has a firing range of 150 km developed by Defense Technology Institute or DTI. The DTI-1G is a 300mm MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) which integrates advanced technology of guidance and control system to increase accuracy of the rockets.

The rockets launcher system is mounted at the rear of a 8×8 truck chassis with four tubes in two lines. The DTI-1G has a firing range from 60 to 150 km.


DTI-1G guided MLRS

DTI-1G guided MLRS
Also on the display is ATMOS 2000 in which Royal Thai Army ordered 18 systems. The ATMOS-2000 (Autonomous Truck Mounted howitzer System) is a 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled (SP) artillery system manufactured by Soltam Systems, now part of Elbit Systems. The ATMOS is fitted with a 155 mm/52 calibre ordnance which conforms to NATO Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding (JBMoU), and is mounted on a 6×6 cross-country truck chassis.


ATMOS 2000
DTI also producing the DTI-2 for use with Chinese-made SR4. DTI-2 is a 122 mm MLRS. Ground rocket launcher and warheads are DTI’s own copyright to make the Army can produce missile in the country.


DTI-2 122 mm MLRS

http://defence-blog.com/army/royal-...mos-2000-self-propelled-artillery-system.html

 

[CountStrike]

NEW CONTRACT FOR ROYAL THAI NAVY OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL
29 January 2016

We have signed a new contract with Bangkok Dock to assist in the licensed construction of a second 90 metre Offshore Patrol Vessel for the Royal Thai Navy.
Under the agreement, we will provide engineering support and advice during construction of the vessel in Thailand.

Nigel Stewart, Commercial Director, BAE Systems’ Naval Ships business, said: “We’re looking forward to building and strengthening our relationship with Thailand’s shipbuilding industry. This contract to support delivery of a second Offshore Patrol Vessel to the Royal Thai Navy is a clear endorsement of our versatile Offshore Patrol Vessel design.

"With three of these ships already in service in Brazil and a further three Offshore Patrol Vessels under construction for the UK Royal Navy, our design continues to attract significant interest internationally."

The Offshore Patrol Vessel is a highly versatile ship, making it a cost-effective solution for many navies, with options for us to construct vessels at our facilities in Glasgow, Scotland, or for international customers to build ships under licenced design agreements using their own indigenous industries.

The Royal Thai Navy accepted its first 90 metre Offshore Patrol Vessel, HTMS KRABI, from Bangkok Dock in 2013, which is a variant of the baseline BAE Systems design. HTMS KRABI has already completed around 1000 days at sea with the Royal Thai Navy. BAE Systems delivered three Offshore Patrol Vessels built in the UK to the Brazilian Navy from 2013 to 2014.

We are also constructing three Offshore Patrol Vessels for the UK Royal Navy at our facilities in Glasgow, Scotland. The ships are of the same baseline design, with modifications to meet UK Royal Navy requirements. The UK Government committed to buy two further Offshore Patrol Vessels in its recent Strategic Defence and Security Review.

The Offshore Patrol Vessel is designed for management of economic exclusion zones and the provision of effective disaster relief, with the range and capability for ocean patrol and deployment anywhere in the world. The design is based on the proven pedigree of the 80 metre River Class vessels operated by the UK Royal Navy since 2003. Good sea-keeping, speed and fuel economy have been improved further by the lengthened hull of the 90m variant, while the rugged commercial components in the ship systems are suited to high annual operating hours and rapid repair.

The design can be modified for either naval or coast guard needs, including options for a hangar, alternative combat systems, boats and internal compartments, such as additional aft accommodation. The ship’s capacity for Special Forces deployment, pollution control, operation of remotely operated underwater vehicles to provide mine countermeasures and carriage of standard containers add to the versatility of the design. The optional commonality with UK Royal Navy command systems provides significant potential for minimising future obsolescence as well as providing scope for training in the UK.
http://www.baesystems.com/en/article/new-contract-for-royal-thai-navy-offshore-patrol-vessel

 

[CountStrike]

Royal Thai Army Interested in Mi-28 Havoc Helicopter

02 Februari 2016


Mil Mi-28 Havoc attack aircraft (photo : Jeroen)
There are rumors that the Royal Thai Army are interested in the attack helicopter Mil Mi-28 (NATO code Havoc) from Russia to replace AH-1F Cobra stationed in the Rotary-Wing fleet 3 Army Aviation Center which operate 7 units.

For the last several years, the Army main method of sourcing new aircraft has been to order a series of helicopters in small lots. As you can see from passed procurement : armed reconnaissance helicopter AS550 C3, helicopter transport for general purpose use UH-72A, UH-60M, AW139, H145 and Mi-17V5 all of which have not exceeded 10 units per model.
As the army most urgent need is to procure replacement helicopters for general purpose use which are nearing the end of their useful life cycle, such as UH-1H, Bell 206A and CH-47D that requires urgent consideration for replacement in the near future. As these general purpose helicopters are more necessary than attack helicopters.
Although the Army procured the first 4 AH-1F since 1991 and another lot of 4 AH-1F by EDA in 2012 which were used. Due to budgetary reasons the Army may still need to operate the AH-1F for some time to come. The new attack helicopters whether it is from the United States, Western Europe or Russia, would still need a large amount of budget.


Royal Thai Army AH-1F Cobra (photo : Mark Rourke)
Such as the AH-64A Apache attack helicopter the RTA pilots expressed their personal opinion that it is more expensive than the AH-1F, but there is not much difference in it’s combat capability. Or in the case of the AH-64E Block III Apache Guardian’s latest advanced systems such as cameras that show color images at night is very expensive. The army is unlikely to have enough funding to procure it.
As can be seen by many weapons procurement projects which has been suspended or delayed due to lack of budget. Such as the guided anti-tank missile launcher project to procure the Spike MR to replace the M47 Dragon.
But that does not mean that the Russian Mi-28 attack helicopters would be a better choice even if the price is right compared to quality and capability as the army has experienced with the Mi-17V5 of which 5 units is in operation with the General Support Aviation Division Army Aviation Center.

We must take into account that the aircraft used within the armed forces past and present such as UH-1H Huey Gunship, AH-1F Cobra and AS550 C3 use similar basic weapons system which can be shared and is NATO compatible.
This is the view that Thailand's army is not suited for combat aircraft with totally different weapons systems, this will be two camps into the army. Because of affect for overall combat readiness, as seen in many neighboring countries, ASEAN.

(AAG)

http://aagth1.blogspot.co.id/2016/02/1.html

 

[CountStrike]

Confirmed: Thailand’s Military Wants a New Main Battle Tank
The Royal Thai Army is setting up a procurement committee to evaluate Chinese and Russian armor.

By Franz-Stefan Gady
February 12, 2016

35 Comments
Thailand announced this week that it is in the process of setting up a procurement committee to evaluate Chinese and Russian tank models in order to select a new main battle tank (MBT) for service in the Royal Thai Army (RTA), the Bangkok Post reports.

Earlier in the week, the Thai military had initially denied media reports that it is considering purchasing a Russian-made tank, the T-90(M)S MBT. Now, according to Thailand’s ministry of defense, the procurement committee is purportedly considering two different Chinese and Russian MBT models.

Royal Thai Army spokesperson Colonel Winthai Suvaree emphasized that the military will make a decision based on cost-effectiveness. “The Army’s aware it’s taxpayers money,” he said. He did not go into details as to when a selection will be made, nor offer a price estimate.

Thailand’s defense minister, Prawit Wongsuwon, will visit Russia in late February and inspect a T-90(M)S model, whereas RTA chief, General Thirachai Nakwanich, visited China in late January to inspect the Chinese MBT3000 or VT-4 model. A Thai delegation visited Russian main battle tank manufacturer Uralvagonzavod in late December 2015 and expressed interest in both the T-90S and the T-14 Armata MBT.

Both the MBT3000 and T-90(M)S are based on the Soviet-era T-72 tank design and armed with a 125-mm smoothbore gun as their main weapon system. Both tanks are also capable of firing anti-tank missiles, although China’s tank maker Norinco claims that the MBT3000 has superior fire-control systems than any Russian-made tank, including the T-14 Armata. In addition, both tanks are ready for serial-production.

As I reported in early January (See: “Will Thailand Buy Russian T-90 Tanks?”):

In 2011, Thailand placed a $240 million order for the purchase of 49 Ukrainian-made T-84 ‘Oplot-M’ MBTs plus a number of support vehicles with Ukrspetsexport, a Ukrainian state-owned defense contractor. Yet, by the end of 2015, only ten tanks had been delivered to the Royal Thai Army, causing concern over future delays among high-ranking officers in the Royal Thai Army.

Five additional tanks are slated for delivery in early 2016, according Ukrspetsexport, although sources say that Bangkok might opt out of the contract due to the delays altogether. (Thailand was originally supposed to receive 20 T-84 tanks in 2015.)

The exact number of MBTs that Royal Thai Army requires is unknown, although there have been reports that Thailand plans to purchase around 200 new MBTs for its armored formations over the next couple of years.

From 1992 to 2013, Russia’s defense industry sold 1,297 MBTs, whereas Chinese tank makers exported a total of 461 MBTs, according to data from the United Nations’ Register of Conventional Arms. Competition between the two countries for market share in the developing world will be fierce.

Confirmed: Thailand’s Military Wants a New Main Battle Tank | The Diplomat

 

[CountStrike]

Thailand is under Discussions to Order Third Batch of Gripen

22 Februari 2016


The total order for RTAF could eventually grow to two full squadrons of aircraft (36 aircrafts) (photo : Aereo)
Saab's Next-Gen Gripen Fighter Jets Ready in May
SINGAPORE — Saab’s next-generation Gripen E combat jet will be rolled out of the assembly site at Linkopping, Sweden, on May 18, the company announced during a briefing with reporters at the Singapore Airshow.
Three aircraft are planned for the test phase of the new aircraft E/F variant, which has been purchased by Swedish and Brazilian air forces.
No timing has been given for the first flight of the jet, which incorporates a raft of improvements over the earlier C/D version, most notably the addition of an active electronically scanned radar.
Slovakia, Czech, Hungarian, Croatia and Bulgaria
During the briefing, Saab officials confirmed that they expect to add Slovakia to the list of Gripen export fighter customers at some stage after the general election timed for next month.
The Slovakians are currently in negotiation with Saab to acquire 8 new C/D variant aircraft, said Richard Smith, the head of Gripen sales, on Feb 18.
“Negotations are ongoing as they head into an election and most likely the contract will be signed after the election is over ,” said Smith.
The Gripen sales boss said the deal would be a purchase and not a lease.
The Czech and Hungarian air forces already operate the C/D version under lease arrangements. Saab also listed Croatia and Bulgaria as other potential customers for the fighter.
Saab will continue to produce and develop the C/D version alongside the new E/F variant into the future.
Brazil, Colombia and Thailand
Smith said he believes Saab will secure around 300 Gripen sales over the coming years. A number of those could involve additional orders from existing customers.
The 36 Gripen E’s ordered by Brazil are just an initial order, the executive believes. An assembly line is being established in Brazil to build 15 of the aircraft.
Smith said a second country in Latin America was in dialogue with them to acquire the Gripen but he declined to name the air force in question.
One possibility is Colombia; it has a requirement and a budget to acquire a combat jet.
Discussions are under way with Thailand to acquire further C/D aircraft to add to the 12 they have already purchased in two batches of six.
A company officials said he was convinced there would be a third batch and the total order could eventually grow to two full squadrons of aircraft, a total of 36 machines.
(DefenseNews)
DEFENSE STUDIES: Thailand is under Discussions to Order Third Batch of Gripen

 

[MarveL]

Exercise Kocha Singa 2016.

Earlier today, our Chief of Army, BG Melvyn Ong and Royal Thai Army (RTA) Commander-in-Chief General, Teerachai Nakwanich co-officiated the closing ceremony of Exercise Kocha Singa 2016.

Our Chief shared, "Today, as we see the end of the exercise, again, it is a testimony of the good friendship and partnership between the Royal Thai Army and the Singapore Army. To that, I am very grateful for the hospitality, training, and support they have given to our troops."

The 18th series of the bilateral exercise, held in Thailand from 15 to 26 Feb, saw the participation of over 800 soldiers from the 40th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment and Headquarters 8th Singapore Armoured Brigade, as well as the Royal Thai Army's (RTA) 1st Infantry Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment.

 

[CountStrike]

G Airshow 2016: Saab พูดคุยกับทอ.ไทยถึงความเป็นไปได้ในการขาย Gripen เพิ่มเติม | Saab in Talk with RTAF over the possible Further Gripen Sale
Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 24 February 2016 00:10

24/02/2559 00.45 น. ThaiArmedForce.com - Saab กำลังพูดคุยกับกองทัพอากาศไทยในการขาย Gripen เพิ่มเติม



Saab แถลงข่าวในงาน Singapore Airshow เกี่ยวกับความคืบหน้าของโครงการ Gripen ทั้งความคืบหน้าในการพัฒนา Gripen E และ ความเป็นไปได้ของการขาย Gripen เพิ่มเติม

Richard Smith หัวหน้าฝ่ายขาย Gripen ของ Saab แถลงในงานว่ากำลังเจรจากับกองทัพอากาศไทยในการขาย Gripen เพิ่มเติมให้กับกองทัพอากาศไทย

"เรายังคงอยู่ในช่วงการพูดคุยกับกองทัพอากาศไทยที่มีความต้องการ Gripen เพิ่มเติม แต่ยังไม่มีการลงนามในสัญญาใด ๆ "

กองทัพอากาศไทยจัดหา Gripen ภายใต้โครงการ Peace Suvarnabhumi Phase I และ II จำนวน 2 ล็อต ในแต่ละล็อตมีจำนวน 6 ลำ ซึ่งในช่วง 5 ปีที่ผ่านมา ThaiArmedForce.com ได้รับข้อมูลว่ากองทัพอากาศไทยได้พูดคุยกับ Saab หลายครั้งถึงการจัดหา Gripen ใน Phase III เพื่อทำให้จำนวนอากาศยานครบ 18 ลำตามอัตราของฝูงบืน โดยกองทัพอากาศมีความต้องการ Gripen C เพิ่มเติมอีกจำนวน 6 ลำ

นอกจากนั้น กองทัพอากาศไทยยังเตรียมการที่จะปลดประจำการ F-16ADF ซึ่งเป็นเครื่องบินขับไล่ที่ผ่านการใช้งานมานานแล้ว โดยยังมีความต้องการจำนวน 18 ลำ และอาจเปิดการแข่งขันการจัดหาเครื่องบินขับไล่แบบใหม่ในอีกราว 5 ปีนับจากนี้ ทำให้มีความเป็นไปได้ที่กองทัพอากาศจะเลือก Gripen E/F เพิ่มเติม

Saab ยังเปิดตัว GlobalEye ซึ่งเป็นการติดตั้งเรดาร์ Erieye ER บนอากาศยานแบบ Global 6000 ของ Bombardier และประกาศจัดหาระบบพิสูจน์ฝ่าย M428 ที่ทำงานใน Mode 5 IFF จาก Finmeccanica ซึ่งอาจจะถูกติดตั้งบนเครื่องบินขับไล่ของกองทัพอากาศไทยในอนาคต



Saab is in talk with RTAF over the phase III of Gripen procurement program.

Speaking at Singapore Airshow 2016, Richard Smith, head of Gripen sale program, reveal that the Swedish company is in talk with RTAF over the further sale of Gripen.

Source earlier confirmed to ThaiArmedForce.com RTAF show interest in six Gripen C to complete the Peace Naresuan program as well as a possible Gripen E/F buy to replace the aging F-16ADF.
SG Airshow 2016: Saab พูดคุยกับทอ.ไทยถึงความเป็นไปได้ในการขาย Gripen เพิ่มเติม | Saab in Talk with RTAF over the possible Further Gripen Sale

 

[CountStrike]

Navy to build B5.5bn missile-equipped patrol vessel

• 29 Feb 2016 at 17:09 3,047 viewedWASSANA NANUAM

The offshore patrol vessel HTMS Krabi is commissioned at Sattahip base in Chon Buri province in 2013. The navy is building another vessel of this kind, but it will be equipped with Harpoon anti-ship missiles, at a cost of 5.5 billion baht. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

The navy will build its second offshore patrol vessel, this one to be armed with guided missiles, at an estimated cost of 5.5 billion baht in three years.

Vice Adm Jumpol Lumpiganon, deputy chief-of-staff and spokesman for the Royal Thai Navy, said on Monday the first OPV the navy built was HTMS Krabi.

The second offshore patrol vessel would be developed from the design of the first OPV, which was based on a design by BAE Systems Ships Co of England, he said.

The navy had signed a contract to buy the vessel's design and materials from Bangkok Dock Co, a state enterprise under the Defence Ministry. The Mahidol Naval Dockyard of the Naval Dockyard Department would build the vessel and the Naval Ordnance Department will be responsible for its weapons systems.

The navy had developed its vessel building capability from building its own coastal patrol craft to building the first OPV, Vice Adm Jumpol said. HTMS Krabi was officially delivered in 2013.

Of the 5.5-billion-baht budgeted cost of the second OPV, 2.8 billion baht was for the vessel design, materials, tests, training, technology transfer, insurance and transport, and 2.7 billion baht for operating systems, weapons and project management.

The second OPV would cost more than the first, which came in at 2.93 billion baht, because in addition to main and secondary guns, it would also be equipped with a Harpoon anti-ship missile system, Vice Adm Jumpol said.
Navy to build B5.5bn missile-equipped patrol vessel | Bangkok Post: news

 

[CountStrike]

Marson Receiving Order for Five M21 Boats

04 Maret 2016


Marsun M21 patrol boats has length 21,4 meters (photo : TAF, Marsun)

RTN to sign order with Marsun for another 5 M21 patrol boats.
Pathavin Jongvisan, manager at Marsun Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. speak to ThaiArmedForce.com at Ship Tech 3 that his company will sign the contract with RTN for another 5 M21 Patrol Boats.


Up the number of M21 order to 14 boats and totally number of Marsun-build patrol boat for RTN will be 15.
M21 has a displacement of 43 tons and equipped with 1 x 20 mm machine gun and 1 x .50 inch machine gun with 81 mm mortar.
(TAF)

 

[CountStrike]

Tanks, Choppers Discussed During Thai Def Min's Moscow Visit

03 Maret 2016


Royal Thai Army interested in Russia's T-90 MBT (photo : ArmyTV)
Thailand is expected to procure more armaments from Russia majorly tanks and Mi-17 Choppers.
Thailand also wants to buy more Mi-17 helicopters in addition to the existing four aircraft bought previously to replace UH-1H helicopters, Bangkokpost news daily reported Monday.
Thailand is expected to hold talks regarding the purchase following Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon’s scheduled visit to Moscow, the news daily quoted an unnamed army source as saying.
"Although Gen Prawit did not make any deal on military armaments during his visit, the two counties have reached an agreement on military technical and technological cooperation which could lead to Thailand buying more weapons from Russia, particularly tanks," the source said.
The Royal Thai Army has set up a committee to consider buying tanks from Russia, China and Ukraine, the source said.
On Russia's proposal to set up an arms production plant in Thailand, Gen Prawit said the issue needs further discussion and he believes Thailand would benefit in terms of military technology from the proposal.
Gen Prawit said no talks were directly held about buying armaments from Russia.
(DefenseWorld)
DEFENSE STUDIES: Tanks, Choppers Discussed During Thai Def Min's Moscow Visit

 

[CountStrike]

Royal Thai Navy Wants to Buy 24 DCNS Torpedo Decoy

07 Maret 2016


DCNS CANTO-V anti torpedo decoy (photos : DCNS, Terma)

Refer to SupplyOnline, Royal Thai Navy to order DCNS CANTO-V anti-torpedo decoy system to be used on decoy Terma 130 mm Soft Kill Weapon System (SKWS) or a trade name Terma's C-Guard Soft-Kill Weapon System.


Terma's C-Guard decoy system used launcher with 130mm NATO standard size. 6 tubes per one shot system, with both facing the same fire hoses and fire hoses turned alternately. The Navy ordered 24 shots equal to 4 system (4 x 6 = 24) in the match's 6.56 million baht.
DCNS CANTO-V anti-torpedo decoy system is the next step in a new generation of decoy for RTN's fleet. We will also see DCNS CANTO-V anti-torpedo decoy aboard of the new frigate built by South Korea.


CANTO-V Torpedo Countermeasures for Surface Vessels, has been specially developed to counter the latest generation torpedoes. New torpedoes can reach speeds of over 50 knots with a range of more than 50 km. They can classify countermeasures and carry out multi tracking. These features coupled with fiber optic wire guidance, make all protection systems ineffective.
CANTO-V system is integrated with the combat system. Once an attacking torpedo is detected its defined when and where to deploy the countermeasure and calculates the most appropriate evasive manouvre depending on the tactical situation.


Salvoes CANTO countermeasue are deployed. CANTO is a wideband acoustic transmitter. It saturates the torpedo's processing capacity by creating a large number of regularly regenerated, false acoustic targets.
This dilution and confussion effect is the only efficient means for countering new generation heavyweight torpedoes. The acoustic cloud created by the CANTO countermeasures disturbs the torpedo in few seconds. The torpedo attacks false targets until its end of life. At the same time, the evasive maouvre allows the ship to leave the area in complete safety.
(Defense Studies)

 

[CountStrike]

Credit: Thanasak Saisood

 

[CountStrike]

Thai PM Prayuth seeks major gains from Russia visit in May
Leave a reply
According to RBTH



Posted March 4, 2016 Gleb Fedorov, RBTH

Thailand’s much-awaited decision over the purchase of Russian T-90 tanks will be only made in May, when Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha meets Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg.

Despite the media hype, a potential sale of tanks may not be the most important Russia-Thailand bilateral development in the run-up to the 120th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which will be celebrated in 2017.

Judging by the secrecy surrounding the recent Moscow visit of Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, it is fair to assume that Russia and Thailand will sign a number of major agreements during Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s visit to St. Petersburg in May.

A source familiar with the situation told RBTH that the Thai ministers were pleased with both the results of their talks in Moscow, and to discover new opportunities for trade.

On his return to Bangkok, Somkid Jatusripitak is believed to have instructed Thai ministries to intensify the preparation of the documents and agreements for Prayuth’s visit to Russia.

Analysts interviewed by RBTH say that by reaching out to Moscow, Bangkok sends a strong signal to Washington and Beijing that it has an alternative major ally, which is ready to supply weapons. Thailand is also conveying to the U.S. and China that it is trying to diversify its economic and military relationships.

“The fact that Bangkok is open to buying T-90s, aircraft, and naval equipment from Russia means that it is committed to re-equipping its armed forces to enhance performance, rather than looking for political expediency,” Andrei Gubin, head of the Asia-Pacific Centre of the Russia’s Institute for Strategic Studies, told RBTH.

Several analysts, including Artyom Lukin from the Oriental Institute at the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, believe that the development of relations with Moscow could be part of Bangkok’s “big political game.” He adds, “If the political relationship with the United States improves, then Thailand may grow cold to Russia.”

Tanks, amphibious aircraft and intelligence exchange
During an interview with RBTH in late February in Moscow, Thai Defense Minister Prawit Wongsawan confirmed that Bangkok is interested in expanding cooperation with Russia in the field of security, the fight against terrorism and international crime, as well as in the exchange of intelligence.

He added that the countries would cooperate in military logistics, conduct joint exercises and hold regular exchanges of military personnel.

Prawit said Thailand would buy some Russian dual-purpose equipment, but would not disclose any further details.

He reiterated that Bangkok is interested in Be-200 amphibious aircraft, which, in addition to extinguishing fires, may patrol the coastline, as well as certain “equipment for the fight against terrorism.”

He also shied away from answering a question on whether Thailand was going to replace its Ukrainian-made Oplot tanks with the Russian T-90s or would choose Chinese tanks instead. A Thai government source told RBTH that this information is available to a limited number of people.

An indirect confirmation of serious interest in the T-90 can be seen in the fact that other members of the Thai delegation paid a visit to a tank factory in Nizhny Tagil. Bangkok-based daily The Nation reported about the visit to the factory.

Despite the fact that the head of the General Staff of Thailand, Gen Theerachai Nakwanich,traveled to China in late January to inspect the MBT3000 and VT4 tanks and was satisfied enough to recommend their purchase, Vasily Kashin, a China expert from the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, believes Russia is in the running. “Russian tanks are now cheaper and better than the Chinese,” he says.

However, Kashin cautions that the deal depends on many factors, including the conditions offered by Moscow.

Somkid meets captains of Russian industry
According to the RBTH’s Thai government source, top executives of a number of major Russian companies attended the February talks with Somkid Jatusripitak. The deputy prime minister promised them assistance in entering the Thai market.

One of these companies was the Vladivostok-based Fesco Transport Group, the oldest logistics company in the Russian Far East, founded during the reign of Alexander II in 1880.

Magnit, which owns the largest network of grocery stores in Russia, was involved in negotiations with the delegation for the supply of Thai agricultural products.

The Thai delegation was also introduced to Group-IB, ranked by the Business Insider magazine among world’s seven most influential companies in the field of cyber-security.

Somkid is believed to have especially appreciated his interaction with Sistema, which owns the largest mobile phone operator in Russia, MTS.

The outcome of these delegation-level talks will be much clearer when Prayuth Chan-ocha meets Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg in May.

@rbth.com

 

[CountStrike]

Ukraine delivered the next batch of the BTR-3E1 Armoured Personnel Carriers for Royal Thai Army
Defense Alert 1 day ago Royal Thai Army, ukraine


Ukraine delivered the next batch of the BTR-3E1 Armoured Personnel Carriers for Royal Thai Army, reported military-informant.com.
The production of Ukrainian BTR-3E1 Armoured Personnel Carriers has proceeded according to plans, and now the next vehicles are ready for delivery to Thailand. On February 22, 2016 at the Kyiv Armored Plant carried out the transfer of armored personnel carriers BTR-3E1 foreign customers according to the intergovernmental contract between Ukraine and the Kingdom of Thailand.
The BTR-3E1, having been developed at Kharkiv Morozov Machine-Building Design Bureau and being produced at Kyiv Armored Plant.
Reminding that the contracts in 2007 and 2011 to be delivered to Thailand total 233 BTR-3E1 and machines based on them, of which in 2010-2013 were shipped, according to different sources, from 142 to 153 units.

Defense News

 

[zheng2]

there are just 2 countries have an army that can hit even america hard in the ASAN.
the thailand and Indonesia.