Royal Thai Armed Forces

Thai Air Force will modernize the existing fleet to compensate for the delayed procurement of the second installment of JAS-39 "Gripen"
05.08.2009

MOSCOW, August 3. (ARMS-TASS). Delayed delivery of second installment fighter JAS-39 "Grip" the Swedish company SAAB will require modernization of structural components and avionics consisting armed Thai Air Force combat aircraft, the "Jane's Defense Weekly, referring to the representative of the Air Force Command.

In June, the Air Force in Thailand announced their intention to defer for up to two years the purchase of six fighter JAS-39 "Grip" because of the reduction of defense budget because of the economic crisis.

Air Force expects that the delay would lead to the need to modernize some 55 fighter aircraft operating F-16A / B and up to 16 aircraft F-5E, which are armed with the country since the late 1980's and since the late 1970's., Respectively. Previously, the allocation of funds for modernization in the mid-life has been problematic, but in these circumstances, improvements in aircraft will be needed to extend their lifetime.

Initially, the modernization of F-16 scheduled to take place about 10 years ago, but the project was never realized. At the same time in the last decade has been improved part of the F-5.

In the case of approval of funding the Government, the modernization of F-16 could begin within the next 18 months. The most likely participants in the program of Singapore Technology Engineering and IAI with the support of the public "Tai Aviation Industries.

Works to improve F-5 is most likely to be fulfilled the Israeli company Elbit, which in 2002 was awarded a contract worth 70 million dollars for the supply of BREO and upgrades of several aircraft structural elements of the Air Force in Thailand.

The Government of Thailand in October 2007 announced the decision to purchase 12 multi-country Air Force fighter aircraft JAS-39 "Grip" in order to replace the outdated fleet of F-5E, as well as two aircraft DRLOiU Saab-340, equipped with "Eriay. The total cost of the project, together with related equipment and services valued at 34.4 billion baht (1.1 billion dollars). According to the decision of the Government, the procedure for the acquisition was divided into two phases.

In accordance with the terms signed in February 2008 with SAAB by the agreements in the first phase of the Air Force in Thailand will have 6 aircraft JAS-39 "Grip" (four double version "D" and two singles "C"), together with the plane 1 'Saab-340 with complex DRLOiU "Eriay" 1 plane "Saab-340, designed for training and transportation of personnel, as well as management and control systems, which will connect the aircraft with fighter DRLOiU" Grip. " The full cost of the agreement is 19 billion baht (531 million USD), which must be paid within five years from 2008 to 2012. The goal is that the supply of aircraft and equipment will begin in late 2010 - early 2011. Education in Sweden pilots due to commence in the current year.

The contract also includes logistics, the supply of simulators, training pilots and technical personnel of the Air Force in Thailand, Sweden. Sweden will also ensure the presence of Swedish pilots and technicians in Thailand for the "Gripenov and Eriay" in operation.

During the second phase was planned to place the remaining 6 and a second fighter aircraft DRLOiU, along with related equipment and spare parts at a cost of 14.8 billion baht (415.5 million USD) to be paid from 2013 to 2017 he worked. It was expected that in the case of all the options, squadron JAS-39 "Grip" will be fully operational in 2015.

http://www.arms-tass.su/

Thailand to Upgrade Fleet, Chooses Chinese to Provide Three Submarines

Thailand reportedly plans to buy three Chinese-made submarines for the Royal Thai Navy at a cost of 355 million dollars each.

Three Chinese-made submarines worth 355 million dollars each may be purchased by Thailand for its Royal Navy, the newspaper Bangkok Post reported on Friday, citing a source in the country's procurement committee.

The decision was made on Thursday, when the majority of the 17-strong committee said "yes" to the Chinese submarines, saying that it was the "best value for money". Other committee members remained split between offers from South Korea and Germany.

According to the source, the committee voted to buy the Chinese submarines because they are "equipped with superior weaponry and technology and are also able to stay underwater longer."

In July 2014, the Royal Thai Navy inaugurated a state-of-the-art submarine squadron headquarters and training center for this squadron, even though the navy has had no submarines in its fleet since 1951.

The squadron's facilities, which include a German submarine simulator, were established at an existing naval base in Sattahip, east of Bangkok in the Gulf of Thailand.

The submarine project has been repeatedly supported by Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who pointed to the country's ever-increasing territorial challenges and maritime missions.

Earlier, the Thai government allocated almost 6 million dollars for the navy dealing with the feasibility of purchasing submarines from Germany, South Korea or China.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/asia/20150626/1023868397.html#ixzz3e9WaUw00

Thai navy was purchase Chinese vessels few decades ago (Chao Praya class - type053 modified) and not very pleased with quality.
They spent years to corrected the issue and integrated all system together.
The other order (Naresuan class - F25T) having less problem and just got upgraded by saab few years ago.

For the subs, there are rumors that its will get Frenchs sonar and Germans engines but no confirm yet.

China Say’s Thailand-China Submarine Deal Suspended Due to US Pressure
Friday, July 17th, 2015

BANGKOK – The Royal Thai Navy announced Thursday that the government has suspended action on the high-profile one billion dollar submarine deal with China, which was still seeking final approval from the cabinet.

The decision to put the deal on hold came after domestic and international experts expressed concern over how the deal with Beijing would affect Bangkok’s relations with the U.S.

“We will wait for now and not introduce it to the cabinet for approval,” Prawit Wongsuwan, the deputy prime minister and defense minister, said, according to a report by China’s state-run Global Times. Wongsuwan reportedly also added that the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) would continue to conduct research on the suitability of the deal and weigh the costs and benefits to the country before finalizing the deal, according to Thailand’s Public Broadcasting Service.

“It’s clear that the U.S. definitely does not want to see any closer cooperation between China and Thailand, especially in terms of military and defense,” Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University told the Global Times, who added that it is “understandable and predictable” that Thailand reacted this way because the U.S. diplomacy was a very important priority.

Historically, Bangkok has been a crucial ally for the U.S. in the Asia Pacific region, a relationship that is reciprocated by Thailand. However, China’s growing status as a global economic, political and military power has made Beijing an appealing regional partner to Thailand.

Now, bilateral ties between Beijing and Bangkok have been overshadowing those between Washington and Bangkok amid political turmoil following the 2014 coup that ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and put Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha in power. The U.S. has explicitly expressed a reluctance to work with the new prime minister and have pulled back involvement when it comes to their annual military drills, the Cobra Golden Exercise.

Meanwhile, The Royal Thai Navy has insisted its need for a submarine fleet and the 36 billion baht to be spent to purchase three Chinese submarines will be worth spending given the country’s vast marine resources worth an estimated of 24 trillion baht.
RTN commander-in-chief Admiral Kraisorn Chansuvanich said Friday that studies conducted by the RTN showed that marine resources in the territorial waters in the Gulf and the Andaman sea covering an area of 300,000 square miles were estimated to worth about 24 trillion baht.
Comparing with the 36 billion baht costs of the three Chinese submarines which have a life span of 30 years, the project was worth the spending and submarines are effective weapon to protect marine interests.

Admiral Kraisorn said RTN’s annual budget allocation amounted to about 40 billion baht and the submarine procurement would be on hire purchase basis which would not pose a financial burden to the government.
He said he would like the public to understand the necessity of the submarines and assured that the RTN would do what it could to fulfill its responsibility. But if the public disagree with the project, he said the RTN would accept that decision.

By Michelle FlorCruz

http://www.chiangraitimes.com/china-says-thailand-china-submarine-deal-suspended-due-to-us-pressure.html

US hurt Ru now China!

I think internal pressure is another factor lead to suspended. Currently there are water drought all over country, worst in decades.
Not a good time to approval some big weapon purchase, even if it is totally unrelated budget.

Sad to hear this anyway.

Is Thai aircraft carrier still active? I don't think those old Harriers are still flying.

Yes those harriers are long gone. But she still in service as a flagship and got upgrade few years ago.
The upgrade comprises Saab 9LV CMS, Sea giraffe radar and datalink to connect with gripen and erieye.

Thailand is looking for new tanks

According to Thai web resource aagth1.blogspot.co.id, Thailand's army has created a special committee on the acquisition of new basic tanks that allow the "stalemate" to produce tanks BM "MBT-T" from the Ukraine.

This Committee is considering as options to acquire two types of tanks - Russian T-90 (in the version of the T-90S and T-90MS) and Chinese (presumably VT4 / MBT-3000). The selection of options is determined by the requirement of the Thai army tank to be 125-mm tank gun, which eliminates the Western models. The decision on the choice of the type of tank should be taken in the coming months.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1639442.html

Thailand takes on 35-mm towed anti-aircraft artillery GDF007



http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1675855.html

Work on the contract for tanks BM "Oplot-T" for Thailand "is in normal mode"

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1679769.html

George1 wrote:Work on the contract for tanks BM "Oplot-T" for Thailand "is in normal mode"

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1679769.html

Define normal?

AlfaT8 wrote:

George1 wrote:Work on the contract for tanks BM "Oplot-T" for Thailand "is in normal mode"

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1679769.html

Define normal?

I heard they're speeding up production to catch up delay. And hoping Thai army to buy more oplot since there are couple tank battalions waiting for replacement.


Apart form T-90, Thai army also showing interest in Mi-28.
Thai PM will visit Russia this may, I hope there will be some good news by then.

Thailand signs contract with BAE Systems for second OPV

BAE Systems has signed a contract with Thailand's Bangkok Dock shipbuilder to support its programme to build a second modified River-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).

BAE Systems said on 29 January that under the agreement it will provide engineering support and advice during the construction of the 90 m vessel at Bangkok Dock's facilities at the Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard.

A spokesperson from BAE Systems told IHS Jane's that the support will be focused on engineering and design, and will be provided through dedicated engineers in Bangkok and Scotland.

IHS Jane's also understands that in building the second OPV Bangkok Dock will have access to technical assistance provided by the project team involved in the ongoing construction of three River-class Batch 2 OPVs for the UK Royal Navy. This programme is worth GBP348 million (USD558.5 million) and was confirmed in August 2014.

Thailand purchased the design of the River-class OPV in support of Bangkok Dock's construction of HTMS Krabi , which was commissioned in August 2013. This vessel was also built in partnership with BAE Systems at Mahidol Adulyadej.

The programme to build the second OPV follows Bangkok Dock's signing of a THB2.85 billion (USD80 million) contract in September 2015 to lead the project in collaboration with other domestic shipyards. Bangkok Dock is aiming to build the second OPV in two to three years while other potential River-class OPVs contracts progress. The RTN requires at least five of the type, although the timing and scope of contracts will depend on finances.

There is also the possibility for additional sales of the River-class OPV in Southeast Asia, although these programmes would be led by BAE Systems. The company regards the success of the vessel in Thailand, the UK, and also Brazil, which ordered three OPVs in December 2011, as a potential driver of exports in the region.

Thai Army received funds for the purchase of new tanks

According to the February 8, 2016 Thai TV channel Nation TV, Royal Thai Army has been approved her selection of budget allocations in the amount of 8,997,450,000 baht (about 251 million dollars) over three years (fiscal years 2016-2018) for the purchase of 51 new main tank . New tanks are designed to replace the troops of the same number of old American light tanks M41A3 Walker Bulldog manufacture 1950, Thailand received at the expense of US military aid in the mid-1960s.

The need to purchase new tanks for the army called Thailand the actual breakdown of the contract in 2011 with Ukraine for the purchase of 49 new tanks BM "Oplot-T" and two armored recovery vehicles based on them. To date, Thailand on this contract has received only 10 tanks BM "Oplot-T" production by Kharkov State enterprise "Malyshev Plant", and the possibility of implementing the rest of the contract remains a big question.

Nation TV Channel reported that the Thai army is considering three types of tanks as possible procurement options - Russian T-90S, Chinese VT4 and South Korean K1A1, and the final choice has not yet been made. This indicates that K1A1 still lacks an export license (probably available in the US view), and the Chinese VT4 does not meet the Thai military "Quality".

In mid-February 2016 Russia is to visit the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Thailand General Government Vongsuvan, and in March - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, and a discussion about the possibility of the acquisition of T-90S tanks will be one of the items on the agenda these trips.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1730583.html

Royal Thai Army to showcase the new DTI-1G 300mm guided MLRS



Royal Thai Army to showcase the new DTI-1G 300mm guided MLRS has a firing range of 150 km, designed by Defense Technology Institute or DTI.

The DTI-1G is the technology transfer program aim to enhance the defense capability of Thailand by receiving the guidance technology from the so called “friendly nation” to manufacture the guided version of DTI-1.

DTI-1G is GPS/INS guided with 70-150 km range. it’s Circular Error Probable is less than 40 meters at 150 km. RTA plan to buy 3 systems.

Deputy defense minister also said he is very satisfying with the performance of the rocket system, saying that this in no way mean the threat to the regional security but only for self-defense.

Deputy defense minister also said he is very satisfying with the performance of the rocket system, saying that this in no way mean the threat to the regional security but only for self-defense.

http://defence-blog.com/news/royal-thai-army-to-showcase-the-new-dti-1g-300mm-guided-mlrs.html

Ukraine delivered the next batch of the Oplot-M Main Battle Tanks for Royal Thai Army



The delegation of the Armed Forces of Thailand visited the «Malyshev Plant» in Ukraine, reported military-informant.com. The Malyshev Plant manufactures the Oplot-M battle tank developed by Morozov Design Bureau (KhKBM).

Delegation of the Armed Forces of Thailand examined the production capacity of the plant, has made the military unit of production and direct their production. Customers Demonstrated produced «Oplot» tanks and tested them.

Next batch of tanks for the needs of the Armed Forces of Thailand is fully prepared for shipment.

The Oplot-M main battle tank (MBT) is developed by Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau (KMDB) for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The MBT can destroy ground-based and low-flying, low-speed aerial targets, while offering superior protection and high mobility for troops.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence inducted the Oplot-M MBTs into service in 2009. In September 2011, the Royal Thai Army placed an order with Ukrainian arms trading company Ukrspetzexport for 49 Oplot MBTs.

http://defence-blog.com/army/ukraine-delivered-the-next-batch-of-the-oplot-m-main-battle-tanks-for-royal-thai-army.html

Thailand has acquired Chinese tanks VT4

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1899074.html

I guess that was it for the T-84 Oplot then.

Although, the VT-4 may not necessarily be a good tank, it may be better than the T-90S and T-84 Oplot.

Royal Thai Army Plans to replace CH-47D Chinook with Russian Mi-17V5

The Royal Thai Armed Forces plan to replace outdated Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters produced in the United States with Russia's Mi-17V5 helicopters, Thai Army's Commander-in-Chief Teerachai Nakwanich said Wednesday.

Earlier in May, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said that Bangkok could purchase Russia's helicopters for its needs.

"We need helicopters to replace outdated US CH-47 Chinook that are used as main military transport helicopters. We do not have money to buy new Chinooks, our budget is very limited and Russia's helicopters meet our requirements both in their characteristics and prices," Nakwanich said in an interview with Fifth National TV channel of Thailand, commenting on the recent statements of the prime minister.

This is a huge shot across the bow of Western defense manufacturers. Thailand made a pure value play in determining the buy of their replacement helicopter and accepted less overall capability in return for lower operating costs/easier maintenance.

News of this buy came out earlier this week and I was puzzled. The Mi-17 has always been sold as a BlackHawk competitor. If it can be pitched as a viable replacement for the CH-47 then the map has changed.

Currently there's a news about a UH-1 helicopter of Royal Thai Air Force disappeared from the radar around the Mount Chamao area in eastern Thailand. It disappeared since about 5 PM yesterday and the search and rescue effort began from 6 PM until it was suspended at 10 PM and likely continues again at 6 AM today (it's already the 26th in Thailand). There are three people on that helicopter and at the time it disappeared, there were heavy rain clouds in that area.

This brings back a bad memory of the Kaeng Krachan disaster back in 4-5 years ago when three military helicopters crashed in a span of a week.

http://news.mthai.com/hot-news/general-news/503189.html Here's a source although unfortunately in Thai language, as I looked around but there isn't yet any update about this incident in some English news portals in Thailand that I knew.


Will edit with update later today when the search and rescue effort continues.

Svyatik wrote:Currently there's a news about a UH-1 helicopter of Royal Thai Air Force disappeared from the radar around the Mount Chamao area in eastern Thailand. It disappeared since about 5 PM yesterday and the search and rescue effort began from 6 PM until it was suspended at 10 PM and likely continues again at 6 AM today (it's already the 26th in Thailand). There are three people on that helicopter and at the time it disappeared, there were heavy rain clouds in that area.

This brings back a bad memory of the Kaeng Krachan disaster back in 4-5 years ago when three military helicopters crashed in a span of a week.

http://news.mthai.com/hot-news/general-news/503189.html Here's a source although unfortunately in Thai language, as I looked around but there isn't yet any update about this incident in some English news portals in Thailand that I knew.


Will edit with update later today when the search and rescue effort continues.

Lastest update : Crash site yet not found. They're going to use UAV for nighttime searching.

This remind me Kaengkrachan incident too. Hope everyone Okay.

zepia wrote:
Lastest update : Crash site yet not found. They're going to use UAV for nighttime searching.

This remind me Kaengkrachan incident too. Hope everyone Okay.

The thing that actually floor me at the moment is how some people on internet claiming that the search and rescue teams haven't put enough effort into the mission. It's almost like they completely forget about Kaengkrachan incident, especially when the team went to retrieve bodies from the Black Hawk crash site. The crash site was on a steep hill (like 60 degrees incline or something) accessible only on foot then there was also nearly non-stop rain which turned the ground into muddy surface. So it was understandable why it still took like 3 or 4 days to eventually retrieve the victims' body back to the national park's camp ground though they already knew the crash site location - even when the team also comprised of Kaengkrachan national park's employees. The crash site of this accident could have been in a similar geography position...

And this almost continuous rain fall in the area worries me about the well-being of the possible survivors, too. Even if they aren't injured, they may catch a fever from who knows how many millions mosquitoes in the surrounding jungle.

According to a post on official FB page of Royal Thai Air Force, they have located the debris and the bodies around 1.40 PM today. Two pilots and one flight engineer all passed away, RIP.