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Further Reading

Army Equipment - Introduction

Armor

In July 1997, the Royal Thai Army started receiving 82 newly built M113A3 derivative tracked vehicles. The vehicles are being made at the United Defense LP factory in San Jose, California. The order included a recently exercised option for 12 additional systems. Final deliveries are expected by the end of next year. Six vehicle configurations are being built, including M113A3 ambulance vehicles, M577A3 command posts and M113A3 versions of a maintenance recovery vehicle. All are equipped with the 275 bhp 6V53T engine package.

The Royal Thai Army's fleet of Stingray light tanks is being repaired and modified by manufacturer Cadillac Gage Textron following the discovery of cracks in the hulls. FMC and associated contractors are completing the refurbishment of 100 each M113A1 armored personnel carriers to M113A2 standard. All M60A1 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) will be upgraded to A3 standard. Also, 101 each additional M60A3 MBTs have been approved for purchase from the US. Funding for the program is to be spread over four years, beginning with the FY95-96 budget. By late 1998, deliveries of these MBTs were reported to have been completed.

Thailand asked the US to supply 107 excess M60A3 MBTs, equipped with Tank Thermal Sights, at a cost of approximately US$100 million in 1997. Whether delivery was made or not is unknown.

Armored personnel carriers

In early 1998, the Royal Thai Army completed field trials of competing designs to fulfill a requirement for up to 200 each wheeled armored personnel carriers (APCs.) The new vehicles were incorporated into elements of the Thai 2nd Division, although it is unknown whether the new vehicles replaced or supplemented existing types.

The following systems: Giat's VAB-NG, Steyr-Daimler-Puch's Pandur, the Sisu XA-180; Thyssen Henschel's Fuchs; Textron Marine and Land Systems V-600; the Chinese WZ 551 (all of the 6 configurations); General Motors of Canada's LAV (reportedly an ASLAV-PC- LAV Bison - leased from the Australian Army) and a version of the Russian BTR-80, conducted trials over several weeks. All vehicles were reportedly of the basic APC configuration, reflecting the requirement for a troop carrying vehicle, rather than a dedicated infantry fighting vehicle.

Artillery Enhancement

The Royal Thai Army received the last of 24 105 mm LG1 Mk II light guns ordered from Giat Industries of France in July 1997. It has been reported that Giat supplied Thailand with kits to enable 285 old US-supplied 105 mm M101 towed howitzers to be upgraded with the complete barrel of the LG1. The upgrade work was reportedly carried out in RTA facilities and enables the M101 to fire Giat's new High Explosive Base Bleed (HE BB) projectile. The LG1 Mk II, in addition to firing the standard HE M1 projectile to a maximum range of 11.5 km, will also fire a Giat 105 mm HE BB projectile to a maximum range of 17.5 km. The RTA took delivery of 10,000 105 mm HE BB rounds. The second order was for 25,000 rounds, which were manufactured in Thailand, with some parts supplied from France. A further 35,000 rounds have since been ordered.

An order for a second batch of 18 155 mm GH N-45 howitzers from the NORICUM Division of T & T Technology Trading enhanced the RTA's artillery capability. The NORICUM 155 mm GH N-45 howitzer, firing an Extended Range Full-Bore - Base Bleed (ERFB-BB) projectile, has a maximum range of 39.6 km, making it the longest range artillery system in RTA service. The self-propelled artillery systems in-service with the RTA are 20 of the 155 mm M109A5s manufactured by the United States' United Defense LP, which are supported by 20 M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicles.

Helicopters

The fleet of Royal Thai Army helicopter are consists of TH-300, Bell 206, UH-1H, Bell 212, Bell 412, CH-47D, and UH-60L. There once was a plan to replace UH-1H "Huey" by 33 Black Hawk, but the budget crisis from 1997 Asian Financial Crisis forced RTA to cut the number into only 7. Based on the original requirement in 2006, there was a requirment for 9 utility helicopter, with the helicopter required the same standard with Black Hawk.

On 18 March 2003, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Thailand of UH-60L BLACKHAWK helicopters as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $35 million. The Government of Thailand has requested a possible sale of two UH-60L BLACKHAWK helicopters with T- 700 engines, two spare T-700 engines, M130 chaff dispenser, receivers, spare and repair parts, gun pods, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government Quality Assurance Team (QAT), contractor engineering and technical support services and other related elements of logistics support.

On 21 July 2005, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Thailand of two UH-60L BLACK HAWK helicopters as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $46 million.

On Aug. 6, 2009 the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to the Government of Thailand of three Black Hawk helicopters and associated equipment and logistic support for an estimated cost of $150 million. The Government of Thailand requested a possible sale of three UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters with six T-700-GE-701D engines with C controls, AN/APX 100 (V) Identification Friend or Foe Mark XII Transponder Set or suitable substitute / commercial equivalent, warranty, internal hoist kits, spare and repair parts, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and technical support services and other related elements of logistic support.

This proposed sale would contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally. Thailand needs these helicopters to fulfill its strategic commitments for search and rescue and self-defense within the region without being dependent upon assistance from other countries. This proposed sale will upgrade its air mobility capability and provide for the defense of vital installations and close air support for ground forces. Thailand, which already had UH-60s in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

On July 13, 2011 the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Thailand for three UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $235 million.

Time needed to pay for UAVs

The RTA was reported to have negotiated an extended payment plan with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) over its purchase of Searcher long-endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The contract, worth about US$12 million, covers one ground-control station and four platforms, although the version obtained is not known. Deliveries began in late 1998. The acquisition fulfils a long-standing requirement to replace a UAV capability lost through attrition. Finalization of the deal was delayed for several years due to political and budgetary constraints combined with a fierce competition between IAI's Malat UAV Division and a US supplier. An IAI team visited Bangkok in mid-1998 to help resolve RTA problems in funding the Searcher purchase. It was reported that the company offered an extension of the payment period.