Thailand makes progress on bid to build Ukrainian BTR-3E1 APCs

[Zarvan]

Ukraine and Thailand are moving ahead with plans to collaborate on the BTR-3E1. Source: Ukrspecexport
Ukraine and Thailand are moving head with plans to collaborate on the 8x8 BTR-3E1 armoured personnel carrier (APC), IHS Jane's understands.

Senior Thai defence officials recently visited the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (NSDCU) for talks on the collaborative programme, which is aimed at supporting Thailand's production of the vehicles.

Sources in Bangkok have also confirmed that Thailand intends to build the vehicles to meet the requirements of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) and to support regional exports. A local facility in Thailand would also support the BTR-3E1s already in operation by the RTA. The RTA ordered in 2008 and 2011 more than 220 BTR-3E1s, which are being manufactured by the Kharkov Morozov Machine Design Bureau.

The NSDCU, an advisory body under the President of Ukraine, said in a press release published on 16 September that its deputy secretary Oleg Hladkovskyy met with a delegation led by Thailand's deputy defence minister General Udomdej Sitabutr to discuss expanding military-technical collaboration between the two countries.

The NSDCU said that this will be partly focused on technology transfers to support the Ukraine's continuing deliveries of BM Oplot main battle tanks (MBTs) that the RTA ordered in 2011 for USD240 million. Another area of priority, said the NSDCU, is to co-operate on Thailand's planned production of BTR-3E1s, which will also require transfers of technologies and know-how.

"In the context of co-operation the Ukrainian side confirmed its readiness to support the development of Thailand's production of armoured vehicles, including the BTR-3E1 with the transfer of technologies," said the press release.

IHS Jane's understands from industry sources that the proposed plan to build the BTR-3E1 in Thailand has several phases and would involve the RTA's production units.

The first phase would feature the assembly of the BTR-3E1 from kits supplied by Ukraine. This would be followed by the RTA's manufacture of components and subassemblies, leading to full production of the vehicle.

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[Green Ranger]

Good step by Thai army as ISIS presence is increasing in Far east countries these days , all done to create hatred b.w muslims and others cause so far Far east are the most peaceful countries in asia where all religion people live peace fully US backed ISIS is being planted there to create chaos