The Royal Thai Army (RTA) plans to acquire combat helicopters to replace its ageing fleet of Bell AH-1F Cobras, Thailand’s Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan has confirmed.
The minister said the plan involves establishing a dedicated procurement committee that will outline the scope of the requirement before seeking required funding approval from the government.
RTA officials have since confirmed that several platforms are being considered to meet the requirement. These include the Leonardo (AgustaWestland) AW129 Mangusta, Russia’s Mil Mi-28, China’s CAIC Z-10, the Bell AH-1 SuperCobra or AH-1Z Viper, and Boeing’s AH-64 Apache.
The procurement is understood to cover an initial batch of six helicopters, with the option of additional future shipments. Local media have reported that only two of the RTA’s seven existing Cobras are operational.
China's CAIC Z-10 | quwa.org
The RTA’s attack helicopter requirement is long-standing, having been hindered by a lack of funding. The service’s existing fleet has been operational since 1990, and was augmented in 2010 with the delivery of four ex-US military platforms. These are operated by the RTA’s 1st Cavalry Division Aviation Company, which is based in the central Phetchabun province.
Mil Mi-28 (Russia) | youtube
The RTA’s intention to procure combat helicopters was revealed following Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s visit to the United States on 4 October, during which defence officials from the two sides discussed potential programmes through the US Foreign Military Sales mechanism.
A joint statement by Thailand and the US said the respective governments would strengthen dialogue on Thailand’s “defence modernisation efforts”. Jane’s understands that an additional potential acquisition includes the RTA’s procurement of Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters.
I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to
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understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia.
I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine.
I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan"
I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy
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