Russian
Army chief arrives in Thailand for 3-day visit
March 16,
2017 AIZHAN KAZAK, RBTH
Colonel
General Oleg Salyukov’s visit to the kingdom is the first by a Russian
high-ranking military commander to Thailand in 10 years. Russia is eager to
upgrade military ties with the kingdom.
In a bid to
boost military cooperation between Moscow and Bangkok, Colonel General Oleg
Salyukov, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army arrived in Thai capital on
March 15 for a 3-day visit.
During the
visit, which is in accordance with an agreement signed by Thai Prime Minister
Prayuth Chan-o-cha and his counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in May 2016, Salyukov
will meet high-ranking
Thai Defense officials and visit Royal Thai Army facilities.
Russian
Ambassador to Thailand Kirill Barsky told RBTH that both countries are
determined to take results-oriented steps for strengthening military
interaction.
“Thai
military forces will participate in the International Army Games (in Russia)
for the first time, while Russian Naval command representatives will be
welcomed at the military parade dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the
establishment of ASEAN,” Barsky said.
In May 2016
Russia and Thailand signed an
intergovernmental deal on military cooperation. The same day Russian Minister
of Industry Denis Manturov announced that
Moscow would supply two Sukhoi Superjet (SSJ-100) aircraft for the Thai Air
Force.
Thailand has
been interested in Russian aircraft since the mid-2000s. In October 2008
Bangkok bought several
Russian Mi-17V5 helicopters and since then there have been discussions on
ordering more.
In February
2017 Rostec state corporation's international cooperation head Viktor
Kladov told Sputnik
that Russia plans to deliver four military transport Mi-17V5 helicopters to
Thailand
“There are
additional plans on conducting joint military exercises and sending Thai
officers to study in Russian military institutions,” Barsky told RBTH, adding
that these were “confidence-building measures.”
Original
post: rbth.com
Image source Russian Embassy
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