Picture: Thai Rath

 

The commander of Thailand's navy known in the Thai press as "Big Thao" is to buy military drones from Israel.

 

The Hermes 900 UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) will be used to ensure maritime safety.

 

Somprasong Nilasamai signed the deal yesterday at Navy HQ with Mr Nissim Assaf Cohen of Elbit Systems, an Israeli company that makes the plane.

 

They supply ten other countries as well as the UN, reported Thai Rath. 

 

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According to this article, Thailand bought 1 drone for 4 billion baht. Clearly that can't be the case.

Around 1750 baht on Lazada, clear case of a little padding.

9 minutes ago, placeholder said:

According to this article, Thailand bought 1 drone for 4 billion baht. Clearly that can't be the case.

Quote

The navy did not say in its statement how many drones it would buy, but said a budget had been set to procure the system over four years, between 2022 to 2025.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-signs-contract-buy-israeli-made-hermes-900-drones-2022-09-21/

 

July report says 7 aircraft.

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/07/04/thailand-israel-hermes-drones/#:~:text=The Royal Thai Navy has,billion baht (%24112.2 million).

Edited September 22, 20223 yr by lopburi3

here we have the answer to "sleepy" Prawit request to bring the baht to 35 to the USD, maybe he has other purchases on the horizon

Thailand to Buy Israeli-Made Hermes 900 Drones

JULY 4, 2022

 

The Royal Thai Navy has selected Israeli aerospace firm Elbit Systems to supply seven Hermes 900 Kochav drones for four billion baht ($112.2 million).

 

According to local media, the company’s pitch bested more than a dozen proposals from Turkey, China, Israel, and the US for the southeast Asian nation’s new maritime surveillance drones.

 

Navy spokesman Vice Adm. Pokkrong Monthatphalin said that Thailand had signed an approval for the winning bid last week.

 

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/07/04/thailand-israel-hermes-drones/

 

 

Need to check the internet connection? This one in the Philippines lost contact with the ground and crashed. They grounded the fleet of 8 others. Is there a warranty?

 https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/05/31/israel-hermes-drone-philippines/

2 minutes ago, metisdead said:

 

 

 

Thailand to Buy Israeli-Made Hermes 900 Drones

JULY 4, 2022

 

The Royal Thai Navy has selected Israeli aerospace firm Elbit Systems to supply seven Hermes 900 Kochav drones for four billion baht ($112.2 million).

 

According to local media, the company’s pitch bested more than a dozen proposals from Turkey, China, Israel, and the US for the southeast Asian nation’s new maritime surveillance drones.

 

Navy spokesman Vice Adm. Pokkrong Monthatphalin said that Thailand had signed an approval for the winning bid last week.

 

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/07/04/thailand-israel-hermes-drones/

 

 

7 pieces at $112.2 million each, are they made out of solid gold .... did Thailand do proper home work by investigating the quality

Edited September 22, 20223 yr by Mavideol

A post with a trolling image has been removed.

7 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

7 pieces at $112.2 million each, are they made out of solid gold .... did Thailand do proper home work by investigating the quality

It's a total of $112.2 million for the 7 drones. About $15.8 million each.

That's the most practical thing they've purchased of late.

 

No need for new Gulfstreams, F35s or subs

34 minutes ago, placeholder said:

It's a total of $112.2 million for the 7 drones. About $15.8 million each.

The command and control system should also be included in that price.  I don't think these will be flown by Somchai with an Ipad.....but you never know!

48 minutes ago, Mavideol said:

7 pieces at $112.2 million each, are they made out of solid gold .... did Thailand do proper home work by investigating the quality

And see real operation of all the capabilites etc., of the drones in a fully realistic mock up  and  with Thai operators 'test flying' the drones and a comprehensive Q and A 

Maritime safety or maritime defence?? Maritime safety would not require military style drones.

 

16 minutes ago, Admiral Hornblower said:

Maritime safety or maritime defence?? Maritime safety would not require military style drones.

 

Actually it could if you consider illegal activities including hijacking.  Drones are today.  But then again isn't safety often the same as defense?

More information on the drone and picture at https://Reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-signs-contract-buy-israeli-made-hermes-900-drones-2022-09-21/

Thailand previously purchased Hermes 450 drones that preceded the 900 model. So training and operations on the 900 shouldn't be difficult.  The 900 is used by the Philippines, Switzerland, the EU and Canada.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

will be used to ensure maritime safety.

Oh really!!!

How about the surveillance of political rallies for the up-coming General Election???

24 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Oh really!!!

How about the surveillance of political rallies for the up-coming General Election???

A 220km/h 4meter by 8 meter drone for rally surveillance?  Think maybe a DJI Mini would do that fine.

 

3 hours ago, placeholder said:

It's a total of $112.2 million for the 7 drones. About $15.8 million each.

At this price, it's a steal! Emphasis on the word "steal"...

4 hours ago, Mavideol said:

7 pieces at $112.2 million each, are they made out of solid gold .... did Thailand do proper home work by investigating the quality

As in the past, with things like this, none of that matters as long as somebody along the chain gets part of the "skimming" which always goes on, after all TIT.

4 hours ago, placeholder said:

It's a total of $112.2 million for the 7 drones. About $15.8 million each.

thanks for pointing out my oversight 

4 hours ago, placeholder said:

According to this article, Thailand bought 1 drone for 4 billion baht. Clearly that can't be the case.

Well....they are HERMES!

Quote

"The navy did not say in its statement how many drones it would buy, but said a budget had been set to procure the system over four years, between 2022 to 2025.".

 

Al!!h, that magic word "budget" at which the ears of the Mercedes-Benz dealers <deleted> up!

 

Of course a new modern system will need a new modern base, with a new modern officers club, new modern housing, a new modern golf club...

 

A new Admirals post to command, a Vice Admiral to act as deputy and at least four new Rear Admirals posts, one for training, one for personnel, one for doctrine and one to manage the support facilities.

 

Happy days are here again!

9 hours ago, placeholder said:

It's a total of $112.2 million for the 7 drones. About $15.8 million each.

the drones are expensive as they come with motors

Quote

Thailand buys military drones from Israel "to keep the sea safe"

This government keeps saying

"Let Them Eat Cake"/“Qu’ils mangent de la brioche”

Hopefully this government eventually gets the same response Marie Antoinette did

Yes to keep the seas safe from Thai pirates 

15 hours ago, placeholder said:

According to this article, Thailand bought 1 drone for 4 billion baht. Clearly that can't be the case.

Actually I wouldn't be surprised.

7 hours ago, mania said:

This government keeps saying

"Let Them Eat Cake"/“Qu’ils mangent de la brioche”

Hopefully this government eventually gets the same response Marie Antoinette did

The real reason the drones are being bought (besides the commissions); to spy on dissenters.