Thailand orders two more EC725 helicopters

[webfact]

Military Capabilities

Thailand adds to EC725 orders

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

 

LONDON: -- Thailand has ordered two more EC725 Caracal multirole helicopters to augment the six already procured, Airbus Helicopters announced on 4 October.

 

The order represents Phase III of the EC725 procurement plan for the Royal Thai Air Force (Kongtap Agard Thai - RTAF), with the first four medium-lift helicopters having been ordered in 2012 and received in 2015, followed by two more ordered in 2014 and due to be received before the end of the year.

These further two helicopters are set to be handed over in 2019, with further orders being considered.

 

According to Airbus Helicopters, the RTAF's EC725s are configured for the combat search-and-rescue (CSAR), search-and-rescue (SAR), and troop transportation roles primarily. The introduction of the EC725 will enable the RTAF to retire its ageing Bell UH-1H 'Huey' helicopters that have been in service since 1968.

 

Full story: http://www.janes.com/article/64312/thailand-adds-to-ec725-orders

 

-- IHS Jane's Defence Weekly 2016-10-05

[DrTuner]

5 hours ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

Should be noted the civilian version the EC225 has been grounded by Europe's air safety regulator due to its operation record in the North Sea and safety concerns.

Fits like a glove in here then.

[JAG]

By my rough calculation from that Jane's article, the Thai armed forces have a total fleet of 261 helicopters. Leaving out the AH1F Cobras which are specialised attack helicopters, and assuming the total of 81 UH1Hs which (if still flying) are due to be retired, that leaves a fleet of 173 helicopters, of 24 different types!

 

It must be a logistical and training nightmare, although maybe there are certain"budget management" and "procurement." reasons for this diversity.

[KMartinHandyman]

They should order 2 more right away because you know these two are going down shortly after delivery.

[ChrisY1]

1 hour ago, JAG said:

By my rough calculation from that Jane's article, the Thai armed forces have a total fleet of 261 helicopters. Leaving out the AH1F Cobras which are specialised attack helicopters, and assuming the total of 81 UH1Hs which (if still flying) are due to be retired, that leaves a fleet of 173 helicopters, of 24 different types!

 

It must be a logistical and training nightmare, although maybe there are certain"budget management" and "procurement." reasons for this diversity.

It's not about uniformity of the fleet.....it'a about commissions...:)

[williamgeorgeallen]

8 hours ago, Father Fintan Stack said:

Should be noted the civilian version the EC225 has been grounded by Europe's air safety regulator due to its operation record in the North Sea and safety concerns.

dont think they have the aviation fuel to run them anyway. can just park them up on the aircraft carrier as an addition to the tourist attraction.

[boomerangutang]

Meanwhile, some hill tribers in remote regions of Thailand don't have enough food and are trying to survive in miserable conditions.  When their daughters get to be 15, there's a 50% chance they'll be funneled down to Bkk, Pattaya, Chiang Mai or Phuket for the sex trade.

 

But we wouldn't want to stop Army brass from flying around the country in their shiny copters, would we.  It's quite impressive when they land at the golf clubhouse.

[tbthailand]

The military is a giant money-factory for the generals.... nothing more.

[jamesbrock]

3 minutes ago, tbthailand said:

The military is a giant money-factory for the generals.... nothing more.

 

Or, as one banned writer, stated,

 

Quote

The second purpose of the Thai military is to satisfy the sheer greed of the officer corps. Even when not in political power, the military provides rich and corrupt pickings for those in the top ranks. Corruption from weapons purchases, excess state funds for military activities and the chance to sit on the executive boards of state enterprises, all go to lining their pockets. Add to this the illegal trade in narcotics, human trafficking and other mafia type activities. And when they are in political power like now, the opportunities for enrichment are unlimited.

 

The effect of this nasty parasitic organisation is to act as a barrier to political progress and to divert important resources from the health, education and general well-being of most citizens.

 

Heroes. 

[Alive]

Are these the back up for the regime's great escape by submarine ?

[Wilsonandson]

"A up fella's got a great deal on this helicopter over here. She's a beauty. Look at that engine. Does she go? Does she go? Your damn right she goes, faster than the speed of sound. What ja mean you don't want it? Ok, ok I'll tell thee's what. I throw in some fast-roping equipment, a cargo sling, searchlight and electro-optical/infrared systems. No ! Come on boys! As it's you buy one get one free but you owe me. O.k I'll load her up. Where's you want um? Korat. Give us 2,000 for petrol and you got a deal."
"Bloody foreigners!"
"Tossing Thais!"

[tbthailand]

15 minutes ago, Alive said:

Are these the back up for the regime's great escape by submarine ?

ah, you mean when the subs get stuck in that giant sand-bar known as the Gulf of Thailand?  

[Retiredandhappyhere]

The mind boggles!

[Grubster]

21 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

It's not about uniformity of the fleet.....it'a about commissions...:)

On both sides of the sale.