Thai Army Canceled the Supply of Armed Helicopter, to Switch to Purchasing via FMS

08 Juli 2019

MD Helicopters MD-530G armed helicopter (photo : Ahmaed Hader)

Department of Army Transportation The Royal Thai Army (Department of Army Transportation, Royal Thai Army) issued two notices on July 1, 2562 (2019) relating to the cancellation of a project to purchase 8 helicopters for armed patrols. 

By which the project to purchase a helicopter patrol armed with a number of 8 devices equipped with standard equipment with weapon system, fire control, surveillance cameras, repair parts, maintenance and simulated flight aid with transportation. According to the project for the fiscal year 2019, which proceeds in the form of debt obligations across the fiscal year (new start) 2019-2021, the credit limit of 4,036,529,900 baht ($ 131,439,430) that is expected to be announced the procurement for the month of June 2019 will be repealed in order to supply procurement through FMS (Foreign Military Sales) agents including hiring, training, pilot and aircraft mechanic armed reconnaissance helicopter research projects, find patrol armed helicopter with a limit of 191,3131,442 baht ($ 5,262,990) bound across the ongoing fiscal year 3 years 2019-2021 to cancel to purchase by FMS instead.

Earlier, the Department of Army Transport issued a price announcement on June 12, 2019 by specifying the source of the middle price that was priced from Euro Intertrade Pte Ltd. Singapore, MD Helicopters distributor, US helicopter manufacturer.

Cancellation of purchase patrol armed helicopter with agents from overseas changed to a FMS procurement model, which is the US government's military assistance program directly to the country therefore is more suitable, more cost-effective and transparent to the government budget.

It is understood that patrol armed helicopter with new weapons. The 8 machine that the Royal Thai Army will procure from MD Helicopters in the United States to be in service along with helicopter AS550 C3 Fennec (Airbus Helicopters H125M) stationed in the 1st Battalion, Department of Aviation, 9th Army Aviation Center

Airbus Helicopters H125M or AS550 C3 Fennec (photo : Wikiwand)

Probably the MD 530G armed reconnaissance helicopter based on the light-weight general helicopter MD 530F (369F) by the family of MD 530. Special Operations/armed models used by the US Army are known in the name MH-6M/AH-6M Little Bird, which is the latest improved version of the MD 530G, equipped with E3 L-Wescam MX-10D (Electro-Optical/ Infrared) cameras of Canada FN HMP400 .50cal (12.7x99mm) heavy machine gun of  Belgium and Bulbous rocket FZ220 capacity of 7 rounds 70mm (2.75 ") of Belgian.

The MD 530G armed reconnaissance helicopter has been tested and equipped with a bulb, air gun and FN RMP rocket equipped with an M3P air gun and a 70mm air rocket to 3 rounds and a M260 rocket bulb capacity 6 shots for a Hydra rocket 70 and the rocket bulb FZ220

The latest clients in the ASEAN group are the Malaysian Army, which has ordered the US MD 530G armed reconnaissance helicopter in 2016 that is expected to be delivered in 2019. However, the supply of the military reconnaissance, MD 530G, is the issue of the previous government investigation into the corruption.

According to the plan to improve the modernity of the aircraft the Thai Army needs a total of 16 armed reconnaissance helicopters. Procurement of new helicopters with 8 machines from the US MD Helicopters that are equipped with avionic systems and modern weapons ready to make the helicopter complete the requirements

In addition, the Thai army still needs at least a new attack helicopter 6 machine for replacement the helicopter attack on Bell AH-1F, Cobra, 7 machine stationed in the 3rd Battalion, Department of Aviation, Army Aviation Center expects that when the Royal Thai Army has proceeded to set up a new procurement project in accordance with the procedure the US Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA: Defense Security Cooperation Agency) will be announced by the US Department of State regarding the possibility of continuing to sell FMS.

(AAG)