Thailand Marine Corps Eyeing Israel Artillery System

By Prashanth Parameswaran

 

RTMC is reportedly looking to procure platforms to boost the Southeast Asian state’s defenses.

 

BANGKOK: -- On May 12, IHS Jane’s reported that Thailand’s Marine Corps was looking to acquire an Israeli artillery system in the latest sign of collaboration between the two defense establishments.

 

Thailand and Israel have developed a close working defense relationship over the past few years, even though quiet cooperation only periodically appears in the headlines. Both countries already have ongoing defense collaboration in a number of areas, and Israeli companies have concluded previous deals with the Thai military, which continues to rule Thailand after coming to power following a bloodless coup in May 2014.

 

One of the avenues for cooperation has  been Elbit Systems’ Autonomous Truck Mounted howitzer system (ATMOS) 155mm self-propelled howitzer. ATMOS was originally developed by Soltam Systems – now part of Elbit – as a private venture. The platform is known for its flexibility, efficiency, and speed.

 

Full story: http://thediplomat.com/2017/05/thailand-marine-corps-eyeing-israel-artillery-system/

 

-- THE DIPLOMAT 2017-05-16

Why?

Can also be operated from submarines and aircraft carriers and designed to take out Facebook users who cross the line.

This will be like manna from heaven for the Israelis.

What better customer could they find than a free spending military government which seems to care little about fiscal discipline.

Buying weapons from Israel, at least you know their stuff is worth the money,

and have been tested in battle time and time again, unlike buying from other countries, 

and beside, why only China should get all the billions Thailand doesn't have,

spread the spending around a bit....

 

Spend,Spend,Spend.!!!,

regards Worgeordie

2 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

Why?

Because the next coup probably isn't going to be bloodless.

Why?

Every few years they tade a few shells with Cambodia. Probably just want to show off next time

The toys are being thrown out the cot; "It's not fair!  The Navy is getting its submarines, so we want some Howitzers!"

 

No official secrets act here.  We all know who has/is getting what; not much of a deterrent, is it!

Seems like this is an expansion of an earlier order?

 

Elbit Systems to Provide Thailand With ATMOS 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzers 

 

The Israeli company Elbit Systems Ltd. announced on August 16, 2015, that it was awarded an approximately $27 million contract for the supply of command and control systems and ATMOS long-range artillery systems to an Asia-Pacific country. This contract is a follow-on contract for this customer and will be performed over a three-year period.

 

The contract calls for the supply of a complete solution for an artillery unit, including self- propelled artillery, command stations, forward observation stations and target acquisition systems, as well as command and control systems, in an integrative solution to connect all systems. The solution, mounted on various wheeled - platforms, enhances mission flexibility, reaction speed and survivability of both the crew and the system.

 

Yehuda (Udi) Vered, General Manager of Elbit Systems Land and C4I Division, commented: "The customer's decision to order additional quantities under this follow-on contract further enhances Elbit Systems' position as a world leading artillery supplier, with a variety of systems that meet the global demand for light, maneuverable and rapid response platforms."

 

 

 

ATMOS was originally developed by Soltam Systems

 

Misprint - should read : Somtam

Interesting that in the same issue of Thai Visa there is an article that there is no money to pay nurses, who do deserve a raise, but an exorbitant amount of money for a totally unneeded weapon. 

I want to know which threat the paranoia of the military is worried about?

1 hour ago, mtls2005 said:

Seems like this is an expansion of an earlier order?

Or an ongoing order. I seem to recall reading somewhere that Thailand was  supposed to have received technology to build them too.

in for a penny in for a pound, seems all the armed forces are chasing their wish lists and screw the public as long as they get their new toys. I understand the need to modernize but not like this, it has to be budgeted so that the country only does what it can afford over a number of years without screwing the people, time to reign in all these wish lists, the nurses are more important than this crap

2 hours ago, Spike1938 said:

Interesting that in the same issue of Thai Visa there is an article that there is no money to pay nurses, who do deserve a raise, but an exorbitant amount of money for a totally unneeded weapon. 

I want to know which threat the paranoia of the military is worried about?

Possibly from within?? Possibly the heads of the other forces in the country want a turn to play PM on a rotating basis of course. 

Edited May 16, 20179 yr by elgordo38

May I suggest that before denigrating Thailand's military purchases, posters consider their own country's expenditure in military matters, their own country's level of foreign debt, and the income they receive from sales of military hardware. You can then judge your own level of hypocrisy.

6 hours ago, ezzra said:

Buying weapons from Israel, at least you know their stuff is worth the money,

and have been tested in battle time and time again, unlike buying from other countries, 

and beside, why only China should get all the billions Thailand doesn't have,

spread the spending around a bit....

 

 

According to the OP the system was developed privately, therefore not battle tested.

The glorious Thai army needs more weapons- and the only enemy it successfully fought in recent history was who...? I guess most of us know the answer.

And nurses are simply surplus to requirement.




Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect

More noses in trough! Disgusting so called Buddhists.

God! Now they're gonna have to make a badge with wings and a howitzer on it.

I want to see Thai's driving these mobile artillery on the highways.

 

Maybe they'll have dash cams.

 

Edited May 16, 20179 yr by IAMHERE

God! Now they're gonna have to make a badge with wings and a howitzer on it.

They get plastic Chinese toys, when they're old enough they gold plate them to make the badge of office and get the salary, then maybe 7 years later they cancel hiring a free thousand doctors to buy a few Chinese copy guns on wheels.


Sent from my nose.

16 hours ago, Cadbury said:

This will be like manna from heaven for the Israelis.

What better customer could they find than a free spending military government which seems to care little about fiscal discipline.

 

It had better be amphibious also.  I can just see a small herd of mechanized 155's in the rainy season, or trying to get across most of the bridges outside major urban centers.

Kitty is going to be empty the way its going

17 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

Why?

Errrr-because they need to replace outdated equipment?  Some of their artillery is of 2nd WW vintage. Difficult to source ammunition and spares, also wear and tear after all this time can lead to dangerous accidents. Even their most recent artillery pieces date from the 80s.

People knock their equipment programs but I've just read a article about the Germans upgrading 100 EXISTING tanks at a cost of 760 million Euros.

 

Militaries need to replace kit and I would suggest a lot of Vietnam and pre-Vietnam era kit currently in service is well past its sell by date.

 

Other nations demand (well are forced into ) the best for their troops- why should Thailand be different? Whilst the subs are a joke artillery plays a vital role in supporting troops on the ground .

 

Just because there is no current threat on the borders of Thailand doesn't mean there couldn't be future expeditionary expeditions along the lines of Korea and Vietnam.  Looking at the current numbers of 155s (18) in service this is not a huge purchase in military terms- if the sale goes through.

 

Edit: Just noticed that the RTA already has this system. Commonality of equipment makes sense from a logistical point of view.

 

 

Edited May 16, 20179 yr by Psimbo

More military toys for the Junta, is there any money left?