Thai Army to buy four Black Hawk helicopters from the US

[webfact]

Army to buy four Black Hawk helicopters from the US
By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- The Army would procure four Black Hawk helicopters from the United States this year, to be added to its 16 corps squadron, which has 12 so far, General Chalermchai Sittisart said on Thursday.

 

It would also mark the first military transaction between Thailand and the US since the junta took power after toppling the elected government in 2014. The US has already acknowledged the sale, Chalermchai said. 

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said earlier that the helicopter purchase might be on the agenda for the talks between PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and US President Donald Trump during Prayut’s visit to the White House.

 

With sixteen of them altogether, Chalermchai said they would form a complete squadron to help carry a company of soldiers to area of operations.

 

The Cabinet approved the helicopter procurement around last October-November, the Army chief said.

 

Thailand expects to buy six helicopters in total, which should be approved under the annual budgets for 2017 to 2019, he said.

 

The procurement follows the Foreign Military Sales programme between Thailand and the US, he added.

 

The US Department of Defence programme aims to facilitate sales of US arms, equipment, service and training to foreign governments.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30319454

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-06-29

[worgeordie]

More spending on toys for the boys.

regards worgeordie

[Just1Voice]

Blackhawks from the U.S., tanks and submarines from China.  Better hurry and get all the toys, as you never know when little Lao will invade. It could be any day now. 

[Smarter Than You]

What's behind the recent Junta splurge?

Piggy bank is getting a bit low, seems they all want to get their pay-off before its all gone.

 

Thai Treasury Reserves Down 85% Since Coup - Khaosod English

[observer90210]

They should have rather used the millions of US$ spent to increase the salaries of the Thai Police, Immigration Officers, thus making these structures gain in efficiency and to fight "tea money" corruption....but dream on...dream on...

Edited June 29, 2017 by observer90210

[Just1Voice]

59 minutes ago, Smarter Than You said:

What's behind the recent Junta splurge?

Piggy bank is getting a bit low, seems they all want to get their pay-off before its all gone.

 

Thai Treasury Reserves Down 85% Since Coup - Khaosod English

Major "backhanders" in the offing.  You can bet there are some major deposits to offshore military bank accounts. And they could care less about Thailand and it's people.  They talk shit, and think no one knows it. 

 

 

 

[janclaes47]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said earlier that the helicopter purchase might be on the agenda for the talks between PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and US President Donald Trump during Prayut’s visit to the White House.

 

They get really desperate to get that visit to the white house sealed.

[Dave67]

There will be nothing left to spend on the glorious 20 year plan

[Othello]

They will be down soon then!


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[tifino]

 

Royal Australian navy is getting rid of some SeaHawks...

 

Leave the rotor blades off and they some mighty sleek looking submarines

Edited June 29, 2017 by tifino

[rijb]

That's a small order.  They should use Amazon and save a trip to the U.S.

[nong38]

I will swap you one submarine for 8 Black Hawks and maybe we can do something on the aircraft carrier front after we have been to Pizza Hut!

 

 

[Kim1950]

What's 4 Black Hawks. In today's dollars America spent over 12 Billion dollars during the Vietnam War in Thailand. That ain't Chump Baht. A very very tiny amount was even my money. 

[quadperfect]

The black hawk is the most usefull of all the recent buying spree.

It can be used for search and recue and since there are already 12 they will have lots of spare parts on hand and this should be able to keep a few flying.

[Kim1950]

31 minutes ago, quadperfect said:

The black hawk is the most usefull of all the recent buying spree.

It can be used for search and recue and since there are already 12 they will have lots of spare parts on hand and this should be able to keep a few flying.

It really is small change. It's a proven and versatile aircraft. They already have trained crew and maintenance specialists. And right, there are economies of scale to have more aircraft. Besides, it's good politics and business to hedge relationships among the global powers.

[webfact]

Black Hawk purchase gets US nod
By SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION

 

File photo

 

Embassy says deal part of strong defence ties; army chief declines to reveal the price.

 

THE United States has approved the sale of four Black Hawk helicopters to Thailand, requested by the military government to fulfil its existing squadron, Army chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart said yesterday.

 

The deal for four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters was handled under the US Foreign Military Sale programme, Chalermchai said, although he declined to give details of the price saying it was almost the same as the previous deal.

 

The Thai Army had acquired Black Hawk helicopters from the US in 2009. It currently has 12 and wanted four more to complete the fleet for transportation and combat mission, the Army chief said. 

 

In July 2012 the Defence Department’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Thailand of four Black Hawk helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support, at an estimated price of $235 million (Bt8 billion).

 

The request included 10 T700-GE-701D engines, warranty, support equipment, spare and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, according to a Defence Department press release.

 

The Thai Army intended to use the UH-60s to modernise its Armed Forces. The US Defence Department said then that the proposed sale would contribute to Thailand’s objective to update its military capabilities and improve interoperability between Thailand and the US, and among other allies. The sale of the helicopters and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region, it said. 

 

The principal contractors will be Sikorsky Aircraft Company in Stratford, Connecticut, and General Electric Aircraft Company (GEAC) in Lynn, Massachusetts.

 

The deal was delayed when General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is now the premier, staged a coup to topple the elected government in 2014. 

 

The previous US administration of Barack Obama froze some military assistance to Thailand to show dissatisfaction at the Thai military’s role in politics. 

 

However, there is no longer a problem with the junta, and the proposal was given US Congress approval in the final quarter of last year, around the same time as Thailand’s 2017 fiscal year began, Chalermchai said.

 

The arms deal was an integral part of the long-standing security relationship between the US and Thailand, the US Embassy said yesterday.

 

In the past decade, the US has sold more than US$960 million of military equipment to Thailand, including Black Hawk & Lakota helicopters, air-to-air missile systems, upgrades to Thai F-16s, and multiple naval missile and torpedo systems. The approximate amount of US Foreign Military Sales to Thailand since the 2014 coup is $380 million, it said. 

 

Since January 2017, the US and Thailand have reached agreements on the purchase of more than $133 million in military equipment, including Blackhawk helicopters and Harpoon Block II missiles. 

 

“We will continue to build on our strong defence relationship with Thailand, a relationship based on our mutual security needs and shared commitment to regional security,” said Melissa Sweeney, a spokesperson at the US Embassy. 

 

The purchase of hardware was put forward as Prime Minister Prayut prepared to visit the White House. 

 

While the schedule of the visit has not yet been fixed, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan days ago instructed the military to take stock of its hardware and weapons to enable the premier to discuss arms deal with Trump.

 

Washington had sent a signal to the military government in Bangkok that the US felt uncomfortable with Thailand making arms deals with China over the past years, a diplomatic source said. Thailand has signed an agreement to buy tanks, armoured personal carrier and submarines from China over the past few years.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30319509

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-06-30

[canuckamuck]

They need four in case one crashes and then two more crash looking for it, they will still have one left.

[tracker1]

America states there is no longer a problem with the junta, I think they mean they are happy with the purchase $s as the army chief declines to reveal the price but not happy about the junta buying military hardware from China !

[observer90210]

Hope for the Thai's that these choppers are not the same the US NAVY SEALS crashed during the Ben Laden operation!!...and some further friendly advice would call to avoid flying over golf courses as these choppers seem attracted to crash landings on US golf greens!

 

 

[Kim1950]

1 minute ago, tracker1 said:

America states there is no longer a problem with the junta, I think they mean they are happy with the purchase $s as the army chief declines to reveal the price but not happy about the junta buying military hardware from China !

Obama had a problem with the political situation in Thailand. Four Black Hawks is really small money. Thailand is playing smart politics. For sure, America wants better political, military, and economic ties with Thailand. They also make damn good products and have a vast intelligence network. They might also look for subassembly manufacturing, lots of the gear, can translate to commercial use, training, or better trade agreements. It's all self serving and in both parties best interest. There is a new administration in the US.

[Deli]

But who shall fly them ? Please, don't say the same guys who drive the mini vans...

[Ace of Pop]

Come in handy finding the Chin Sub later on.[emoji85][emoji576]


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[JAG]

But who shall fly them ? Please, don't say the same guys who drive the mini vans...

Don't worry, I'm sure that they will come with GPS fitted...

[hansnl]

2 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

They need four in case one crashes and then two more crash looking for it, they will still have one left.

Are those choppers that bad?

[canuckamuck]

6 minutes ago, hansnl said:

Are those choppers that bad?

It's happened before. Not the chopper's fault though.

Edited June 30, 2017 by canuckamuck

[Othello]

I remember as a student of economics that the American economy works on guns or butter. A prosperous arms industry means a prosperous economy. Trump is surely following this path. Discuss.....


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[YetAnother]

strange, i thought the usa was bound, by their own laws, against selling arms to military governments

[Othello]

strange, i thought the usa was bound, by their own laws, against selling arms to military governments

Strange indeed


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[InMyShadow]

This is final proof that the USA sees the junta as a legitimate government.

[Usernames]

12 hours ago, quadperfect said:

The black hawk is the most usefull of all the recent buying spree.

It can be used for search and recue and since there are already 12 they will have lots of spare parts on hand and this should be able to keep a few flying.

Agreed. At least the helicopters can be used in a variety of non-military ways. Everything from sar to evacuation to emergency medical transfer.