08.10.2015 Defense Studies

The Thai Navy will rework funding pattern for the purchase of three Chinese submarines and resubmit the proposal to the cabinet for approval.

The purchase proposal was on the cabinet agenda last week but withdrawn amid a report the Defence Ministry wanted the navy to spread payments for the submarines over 10 years rather than seven, Thai media reported.

Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Tuesday denied reports that the navy's submarine procurement project was being suspended or stalled.

Gen Prawit said he had asked the navy, which plans to buy three Chinese submarines valued at 36 billion baht, to rework its funding plan. The proposal would be submitted to the cabinet for consideration "when the time is right".

There were reports last week that Thailand might prefer frigates in place of submarines. Newly appointed Royal Thai Navy Chief, Admiral Na Areenij had said that the navy would propose an ‘alternative’ if the submarine plan was stalled or cancelled. Local media interpreted this to mean that that the navy would propose the purchase of frigates.

(DefenseWorld)

September 28, 2015 By Grant Newsham

The country needs a more robust capability. Here’s how it can achieve it.

As Indo-Pacific nations build up their naval power, submarines, cruise missiles, aircraft carriers, jets, and frigates get the most attention. However, an underreported but significant regional trend over the last five years is widespread interest in amphibious capabilities.

Japan and Australia have created rudimentary amphibious forces, and New Zealand is working to develop one. Malaysia has publicly stated it wants a Marine Corps and even the small, remote Maldives has established a Marine Corps.

Apart from this, Asia also already has a number of Marine Corps or amphibious-capable ground forces. The ROK Marine Corps is one of the oldest and most capable, though largely tied to the Korean peninsula. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has a large Marine Corps, and as the PRC pursues its territorial expansion strategies it understands the value of amphibious forces and is rapidly building new amphibious ships.

The Indonesian Marine Corps is expanding, while the Philippine Marines are working to upgrade their force. India has amphibious-capable forces, even though they lack adequate funding and focus, and Singapore is looking to improve its amphibious capabilities. Bucking the trend, the competent Taiwan Marines have been pared down in recent years – to the point where they may eventually be ineffective.

The Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC) has a long history and can conduct amphibious operations. It has performed superbly in the south against separatist insurgents, and made important contributions to winning the nearly 30-year long Communist insurgency. However, the RTMC can make even greater contributions to Thailand’s national security and to regional security as well. The RTMC is indeed a neglected strategic asset, but to understand why, one first must understand why amphibious capabilities are important.

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RTAF ACJ 320 seat configuration consist of 75 seats (VVIP 4 seats, VIP 6 seats, the director of travel one seat, followed by eight seats, crew 2 seats. and 54 passengers seats) (photo : RTAF)

14.09.2015 Defense Studies


BANGKOK – The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has held a delivery ceremony of a new military aircraft which will be used for non-war missions. 

The delivery of Airbus ACJ 320 took place at Military Terminal 2 in Bangkok. Deputy PM and Defense Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan presided over the ceremony. The aircraft was purchased under the RTAF procurement project of a passenger plane for high-ranking and prominent persons.

Aside from transporting important persons, the airbus will be used for humanitarian missions such as evacuation of disaster-affected Thais living overseas and peace-keeping operations.

The ACJ320 boasts the most spacious cabin in the corporate jet market. The double engine airplane can seat up to 75 passengers and fly at a maximum distance of 5,900 kilometers or around seven hours when filled up.

The airbus is based at Royal Flight Squadron 602, Wing 6 in Bangkok.

(Pattaya Mail)

March 20, 2015: Strategy Page

China is placing increasing pressure on nearby countries like Pakistan, Thailand, Burma (and so on) to arrest and return Chinese Uighur Turks who show up illegally. China accuses these Uighurs of being Islamic terrorists. While a few are most are economic refugees fleeing Chinese oppression in their homeland that has the misfortune of being part of China. Northwest China has long been the home of the Uighur Turks but in the last few decades China has encouraged Han (ethnic Chinese) to migrate to the area (Xinjiang province). Most Uighurs are found in Xinjiang province. There the nine million Uighurs are now less than half the population and most of the rest are Han Chinese. Chinese officials have been publicly urging soldiers and police to be more aggressive against uncooperative Uighurs.

The Uighurs are increasingly aggressive in attacking the growing Chinese presence among them. In Xinjiang province what angers the Uighurs is growing pressure from Han Chinese soldiers and intrusive Han government officials. Because of that many Uighurs continue to support anti-Han activity and this makes it possible for Islamic terrorists to survive and operate. The government accuses Uighur activists of endangering state security and tries to keep the unrest out of the news. The same thing is happening in Tibet, where the government is using the same tools to keep everyone under control.

While China is obsessed with the few Islamic terrorists fleeing Xinjiang most of these Uighurs are simply fleeing China. Many are showing up in Turkey, via smugglers who specialize in getting Uighurs out and as far away from China as possible. Turkey refuses Chinese demands to return any of these Uighurs unless they are caught engaging in Islamic terrorist activities.

04.03.2015 by Maki Catama - aseanmildef.com

BANGKOK, -- Having previously Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) origin South Korea filed a class submarine Type-209 to consider the Thai Navy, on this occasion the South Korean company that others are HHI also offers submarine to the Royal Thai Navy.

It should be noted that the Type-209 submarines / Mod proposed by DSME is proposed also to the Thai Navy by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) from Germany. Thailand hopes that the submarine offered no physical form and is used by the Navy. From this side of the Type-209 / Mod-made DSME actually quite satisfy, but it is impossible to compete with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems with hull Type-209 submarines are the same although the respective copyright.

On the other hand HHI has proposed submarine HDS- 500 to the Thai navy has been no information regarding its use by the South Korean Navy, also does not appear on the site information HHI. The new submarine is being developed and was offered as an alternative to the Navy other countries, but have yet to find customers, as well as artificial Amur Russia.

Since 2011 the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) , which is regulated by the Defense Advanced Research belongs to the South Korean government has launched a program KSS-500A submarine, a small submarine that can replace class submarines Dolgorae small classes in South Korea last year also reported that the HHI developed a small submarine. Maybe submarine HDS-500RTN developed from KSS-500A, if this is true then it is a great option for the smallest submarine fleet RTN today.

This boat may have a weight of 510 tons with roaming capabilities are  continuous as far as  2,000 nautical miles for 21 days, the maximum speed of 20 knots and a maximum depth of 250 meters, this ship has a crew of about 10 people.

SEOUL, 08 fév. (Yonhap)

La Corée du Sud a envoyé vers la Thaïlande des soldats de sa marine qui participeront cette semaine à la manœuvre militaire Cobra Gold, l’une des plus importantes au monde, qui a lieu chaque année, a fait savoir ce dimanche le corps des Marines.

Cet exercice, le plus grand de la région Asie-Pacifique, organisé à l’initiative de la Thaïlande et des Etats-Unis, commencera demain pour durer jusqu’au vendredi 20 février. Il a eu lieu pour la première fois en 1981.

Cette année, ce sera la sixième fois que la Corée du Sud prendra part à cet exercice. Six autres pays seront présents également : la Thaïlande, les Etats-Unis, Singapour, l’Indonésie, la Malaisie et le Japon.

Un total de 50 hommes des forces navales sud-coréennes sont partis à bord d’un avion Hercules C-130 il y a deux jours, a-t-il été précisé.

L’entraînement de la partie sud-coréenne consistera notamment à survivre dans la jungle, à se battre dans un environnement urbain et à effectuer des infiltrations aériennes et maritimes à Sattahip, un district de la province thaïlandaise de Chonburi, dont la ville de Pattaya fait partie.

Durant toute la durée de cet exercice, 14 officiers se joindront à l’exercice de commandement dans la province de Nakhon Nayok, dans la région centrale du pays.

January 04, 2015 By Prashanth Parameswaran Source : The Diplomat (Japon)

Is Thailand about to realize its long-deferred dream of acquiring submarines?

Thailand may look to procure two or three submarines as part of an increased 2016 defense budget, finally giving the country a capability it has lacked for more than sixty years, The Bangkok Post reported Friday.

According to a source from Thailand’s defense ministry, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) is expected to propose the procurement of two to three submarines in the 2016 budget, with the country’s defense minister Prawit Wongsuwon already backing the plan in principle pending cost considerations. The navy has been considering submarines from various sources, but the South Korean Chang Bogo Class submarine is reportedly the least expensive at around $330 million each.

To the seasoned observer, Thailand’s plan to acquire submarines is neither new nor surprising. Lacking a submarine capability since 1951, the country has tried since the 1990s to ink submarine deals with several countries, including most recently Germany and South Korea. Though they eventually did not materialize, many were expecting Thailand’s submarine quest to once again become a top priority once the ruling military junta seized power in a coup in May 2014.

Since then, all signs have pointed to the RTN preparing for an anticipated purchase of submarines. In July 2014, it officially launched a multi-million dollar submarine training center, a significant boost to its incremental capacity-building efforts, which have included sending officers abroad to South Korea and Germany for training courses. On November 20 last year, which marks Royal Thai Navy Day, Thailand’s navy chief Kraisorn Chansuwanich revealed that he had revived plans to procure submarines and presented his proposals to defense minister Prawit. Prawit had reportedly agreed with the plan but had instructed the navy to present detailed studies on the types of submarines it wanted and their costs to see if they were affordable.

Despite previous doubts about Thailand’s submarine quest, some officials insist it makes strategic sense and ought to be pursued urgently. They say submarines would help Thailand ensure the freedom of navigation in the vital Gulf of Thailand, which could be disrupted if, for example, lingering territorial disputes in the South China Sea spiral out of control with spillover effects. They could also help protect critical infrastructure as Thailand continues its involvement in the Dawei deep sea port project in Myanmar over the next few years.

More broadly, submarines can also serve as an effective deterrent and protect Thailand’s sovereignty at a time when many of its neighbors either have or are quickly developing submarine capabilities. Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia already have submarines, Vietnam has begun receiving its Kilo-class submarines from Russia, and even the Philippines – traditionally a laggard in this respect – is also eyeing such capabilities. The “keeping up with the Joneses” factor that partly drives Southeast Asian military modernization trends ought not to be discounted, even if it is not often publicly acknowledged by officials themselves. For all the rhetoric about ASEAN solidarity, military buildups are as much about wariness of, and competition between, each other as they are about external threats like China or other transnational concerns.

Even so, past experience suggests that renewed efforts in this direction ought to be viewed with caution. The high price tag of actually buying submarines still remains a major concern, even if doing so is now a more urgent priority. Internal differences between various actors within government have complicated plans before, and could do so again. And with political stability in Thailand hardly assured, there is no guarantee that the current government will be in place long enough to actually follow through on its intended objectives. As Thailand continues pursuing its long-deferred dream of acquiring submarines, past may yet again prove to be prologue.

A US Army UH-72A Lakota light-utility helicopter at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., US

1 October 2014 army-technology.com

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of UH-72A Lakota helicopters and associated equipment to Thailand.

Under the estimated $89m sale, Thailand has requested nine UH-72A Lakota helicopters, along with spare and repair parts, support equipment, communication equipment, and aviation mission planning stations.

Approved by the US State Department, the package also includes personnel training and training equipment, as well as other related elements of logistics support.

The sale is expected to contribute to Thailand's goal of upgrading and modernising its military forces with a new light-utility helicopter that can address requirements for rotary-wing transportation, while further enhancing interoperability between Thailand, the US, and other allies.

In addition, the sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to improve the security of a major non-Nato ally.

EADS North America has been selected to serve as the prime contractor for the FMS programme.

The UH-72A Lakota, which is an unarmed utility militarised version of the EC-145 helicopter, is primarily used for search and rescue, medical evacuations, homeland security, VIP transport and disaster response and relief, as well as combat flight and pilot sustainment training missions.

Powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 turboshaft engines, the helicopter can also be used for general support and counter-narcotics operations.

It is currently operated by the US Army, Navy and the Army National Guard.

In June 2013, Thailand also requested six UH-72A Lakota helicopters and related equipment from the US at an estimated cost of $77m.

12.08.2014 cnbc.com (Reuters)

Spurred by tensions with China, Southeast Asian nations are building up their own defense industries, channeling fast-growing military budgets to develop local expertise and lower their dependence on big U.S. and European arms suppliers.

While countries such as Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia won't do away with big-ticket imports from giants like Airbus or Lockheed Martin, they are increasingly encouraging domestic defense firms to manufacture hardware locally. With regional defense spending seen rising to $40 billion in 2016, 10 percent higher than last year, some countries are already developing their own exports.

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05/04/2014 Sources : EMA

Du 11 au 22 mars 2014, le contre-amiral Anne Cullerre, commandant la zone de responsabilité permanente Asie-Pacifique (ZRP ALPACI) et commandant supérieur des forces armées en Polynésie française (COMSUP FAPF), s’est rendu dans quatre pays du sud-est asiatique pour une série d’entretiens avec les autorités militaires de ces pays (Thaïlande, Birmanie, Singapour et Indonésie).

Le contre-amiral Cullerre s’est d’abord rendu en Thaïlande. Les forces armées en Polynésie françaises (FAPF) coopèrent régulièrement avec les forces armées thaïlandaises au cours d’exercices tels que Cobra gold ou lors d’escales de bâtiments de la marine nationale donnant lieu à des embarquements d’officiers thaïlandais et à des entraînements conjoints à la mer.

En Birmanie, l’amiral Cullerre a travaillé avec les autorités militaires sur le renforcement de notre coopération bilatérale, plus spécialement celle exercée dans le domaine de la sécurité maritime et de la surveillance des zones économiques exclusives.

Ce même sujet a été évoqué lors des rencontres avec les autorités militaires de Singapour, pays avec lequel la France entretient une coopération active en s’appuyant notamment sur l’Information Fusion Centre (IFC). Depuis sa création en avril 2009, un officier de liaison français est affecté dans ce centre régional de collecte et de partage d’informations d’intérêt maritime .

Le contre-amiral Cullerre a également pu profiter de sa présence à Singapour pour rencontrer le contre-amiral Cindy Thebaud, commandant de la Task Force (TF) 73 basée à Sembawang.

Enfin, ALPACI a représenté le général d’armée Pierre de Villiers, chef d’état-major des armées (CEMA) au 4eJakarta International Defence Dialogue, qui réunissait les hautes autorités militaires et ministérielles de quarante-six pays de la zone indo-pacifique. Ce forum annuel a pour objectif d’aborder des problèmes d'actualité et les défis auxquels les pays de la zone doivent faire face pour améliorer la sécurité de la navigation maritime, lutter contre la criminalité transnationale et encourager l'établissement de relations de coopération bilatérale et multilatérale.

ALPACI, au nom du CEMA, participe aux activités de coopération régionale et entretient des relations privilégiées avec l’ensemble des nations présentes sur cette zone.

En temps qu’ALPACI et COMSUP FAPF, l’amiral Cullerre a pour mission de garantir la souveraineté nationale dans les zones maritimes de  la Polynésie française et du Pacifique. Sa zone de compétence s’étend sur tout l’océan Pacifique, les détroits indonésiens et du méridien du cap sud de la Tasmanie à l’ouest, à la côte américaine à l’Est, à l’exception de la zone entourant la Nouvelle-Calédonie sous la responsabilité du COMSUP Nouméa.

14.03.2014 Pacific Sentinel
 

ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 2 (UPI)

DRS' mission command capabilities are being integrated into First Win armored tactical vehicles by Thailand's Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co Ltd.

The system to be delivered is C4InSight, a modular, scalable and open architecture communications system with the ability to interface and control a wide range of HF and VHF radios, satellites and other line-of-sight and below line-of-sight communications systems.

Central to it is DRS's Network and Imaging Systems group's data distribution unit, which enables centralized communication between the C4ISR -- command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance -- platform and weapon sub-systems.

"This new partnership is an exciting venture for DRS, providing us with the opportunity to establish a relationship with a world-class defense manufacturer like Chaiseri," said Mike Sarrica, president of DRS's Network and Imaging Systems group. "We are excited to team with a company that values the full spectrum of unique capabilities and experience that DRS has to offer in this field on a superior vehicle like the First Win multi-role armored vehicle."

DRS said Chaiseri will be responsible for in-country installation and on-going support and maintenance of the mission system products and systems and that DRS will provide engineering support from its facilities in the United States and Britain.

No additional details about the teaming agreement were disclosed.