Tanks, Choppers Discussed During Thai Def Min's Moscow Visit

Thailand is expected to procure more armaments from Russia majorly tanks and Mi-17 Choppers.

Thailand also wants to buy more Mi-17 helicopters in addition to the existing four aircraft bought previously to replace UH-1H helicopters, Bangkokpost news daily reported Monday.

Thailand is expected to hold talks regarding the purchase following Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon’s scheduled visit to Moscow, the news daily quoted an unnamed army source as saying.

"Although Gen Prawit did not make any deal on military armaments during his visit, the two counties have reached an agreement on military technical and technological cooperation which could lead to Thailand buying more weapons from Russia, particularly tanks," the source said. 

The Royal Thai Army has set up a committee to consider buying tanks from Russia, China and Ukraine, the source said.

On Russia's proposal to set up an arms production plant in Thailand, Gen Prawit said the issue needs further discussion and he believes Thailand would benefit in terms of military technology from the proposal.

Gen Prawit said no talks were directly held about buying armaments from Russia.

However, Thailand showed an interest in buying aircraft and equipment for fighting forest fires and mitigation of natural disasters, and at the same time offered to sell its agricultural products such as rice and rubber.

He was speaking at Don Mueang military airport on his return from Russia and Belarus, which he visited  between Feb 23-27.