1st November 2017 - 03:11 GMT | by Sompong Nondhasa in Bangkok
In the past two years China has achieved a surprising degree of
weapon sales to Thailand. It reflects a closer relationship between the two
countries after arms sales from the US decreased due to political issues
relating to Thailand’s military rule.
In 2014 the so-called National Council for Peace and Order took
control of Thailand after a military coup d’état. As the relationship between
Thailand and the US declined, China seized the opportunity to strengthen its
relationship with Bangkok.
Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the kingdom’s deputy prime minister and
defence minister, has often visited China along with his senior military
commanders to meet with senior People’s Liberation Army figures.
In a significant move, in April the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) ordered
a Yuan-class S26T
submarine from China for $375 million, and it plans to order two
more submarines in the near future.
Additionally, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) ordered a first batch of
28 VT4 tanks
(delivered
in October) and a first
batch of 34 VN1 8x8
vehicles.
The Royal Thai Air Force ordered
KS-1C surface-to-air missiles too, these being commissioned in
2016.
Chinese arms sales to Thailand are still being fast-tracked, with
many interesting offers on the table such as technology transfer and joint
military production facilities to repair and maintain Chinese weapon systems in
Thailand.
However, the biggest attraction of Chinese weapons is lower prices
compared to those sourced from other countries. While the Thai defence budget
remains limited, Chinese arms sales therefore offer the most promise.
After the Vietnam War, Sino-Thai relations drew closer when the US
withdrew from Southeast Asia and cancelled military aid to Thailand.
A huge arms deal occurred in 1987 with friendship prices for items
such as Type 69-II tanks, Type 85 APCs, 130mm Type 59-1 howitzers, 130mm Type
82 MLRS, 57mm Type 59 antiaircraft guns and HN-5A missiles.
The RTN also ordered six frigates from China and, in 2002, it
ordered two more Pattani-class offshore patrol vessels.
In 2013 the RTA ordered two DTI-1 MLRS units with associated
technology transfer. Two years later, Thailand unveiled its first guided DTI-1G MLRS.
Original post: shephardmedia.com
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