RTA Takes Delivery of the VN1 Phase 2 and the Last VT4 MBT from China

24 September 2020

VN1 8x8 APC of the RTA (photo : AAG)

A series of images that were published in Thai online social media in mid-September. 2020 that is likely to be taken at the Horse Guards Cavalry Center, Adisorn Camp, Saraburi Province. Demonstrated a number of VN1 8x8 APC (Armored Personal Carrier) vehicles transported from China to Thailand.

It is a mark that is likely to indicate that the Royal Thai Army is in the process of receiving delivery of the VN1 Phase 2 wheeled vehicle that has been ordered since the year 2019.

VN1 Phase 2 wheeled vehicle with an amount of 2,251,928,086 baht ($ 66,233,179) for the Royal Thai Army consists of 3 VN1 APC armored vehicles, 12 120mm SM4A grenade launchers, 9 units VS27 8x8 Recovery Vehicles.

12 Reconnaissance and Command Vehicles (12 VE36), 3 VN1 Ambulance vehicles and 2 maintenance vehicles, 1 maintenance vehicle, 1 mechanical equipment and 1 electrical equipment maintenance vehicle with various ammunition.

Earlier, in December 2019, the Royal Thai Army received the delivery of VN1 Phase 1 wheeled vehicles with an amount of approximately 2,300 million baht ($ 68 million) ordered to supply in the year 2017 consists of 34 VN1 APC armored vehicles, 2 VS27 recovery vehicles, 1 mechanical tool maintenance vehicle and 1 electrical equipment maintenance vehicle included. The number of vehicles ordered for the VN1 8x8 family is 75 units.

Last ten VT-4 MBT (photo : RTA)

China North Industries Corporation (Norinco), the state-owned armament manufacturer of the People's Republic of China, has released a video promoting the tests of the VN1 8x8 armored vehicle with a UW4B remote turret of the Thai Army.

Overall, weapons were tested including a 30mm machine gun, a 7.62mm co-axle machine gun, a 40mm grenade launcher and a Red Arrow 73D missile launcher in China, where Thailand was the first export customer to supply the VN1 with a remote turret though,  will not also provide a tank missile launcher.

It is expected that the VN1 8x8 wheeled vehicle to enter service at the 10th Cavalry Regiment (M.K. 10), the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, the 1st Cavalry Brigade, which is understood that M.K. 10 has changed the rate from The Cavalry Battalion Reconnaissance Becomes an Armored Cavalry Battalion.

It is expected that the direct landing unit of M. 2 Gen. M.1 is the 7th Cavalry Battalion and the 12th Cavalry Battalion. The next phase of the VN1 will be delivered by M.K. 10, previously stationed in BTR-3E1 8x8 APC Ukraine.

VT-4 tank simulator (photo RTA)

As well as transporting the VN1 Phase 2 wheeled vehicle, NORINCO has also delivered the final VT4 main battle tank to Thailand. As scheduled, the car was originally scheduled for delivery in early 2020 but was postponed to September 2020 due to the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak in China.

According to the documents of the Royal Thai Army Ordnance Department, on December 20, 2019, the Royal Thai Army plans to procure the VT4 main tank, phase 4, with an amount of 1,662,375,000 baht ($ 53,625,000) consisting of 10 units VT4 vehicles and 1 system simulator training aid.

The Royal Thai Army has organized 28 units VT4 Phase 1 in 2016, Phase 2 of 10 cars with 1 maintenance vehicle in 2017, Phase 3 number of 14 cars in the year 2018 and phase 4, number of 10 cars, totaling 62 cars, active in 6th Cavalry Battalion and 21st Cavalry Battalion 6th Cavalry Regiment The 3rd Cavalry Brigade.

(AAG)