DTI Thailand will Develop CS/AH2 105mm Arc-Trajectory Light Artillery with China

22 September 2021

Thailand's domestic M425 105mm self-propelled howitzer on M35 6x6 cargo truck chassis for Royal Thai Army (RTA) developed by Weapon Production Center (WPC), Defense Industry and Energy Center (DIEC), Ministry of Defense of Thailand (photo : AAG)

Defense Technology Institute DTI (Defence Technology Institute) Thailand posted a procurement announcement on its website on September 7, 2021, which was found in mid-September 2021, about the median price announcement for Joint Research and Development Project to build a prototype of a 105mm arc-trajectory light artillery projectile CS/AH2, phase 1, 48 million baht ($1,439,712), which should represent DTI's first field artillery system development project in Thailand.

There are two sources for the median price (reference price): POLY TECHNOLOGIES, INC. China filed a quotation on August 24, 2021 and UNITED DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY Co., Ltd., Thailand also filed. Bid rejection date 1 September 202. UNITED DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY is a distributor of Nexter LG1 Mk III 105mm towed light artillery from France in the project of purchasing the 105mm type 1 towed arc-trajectory light artillery of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) in November  2020.

Acting as a distributor for Chinese POLY TECHNOLOGIES and designating the 105mm CS/AH2 arc-guided light artillery, it is clear that this is an export-model artillery product of China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), a state-owned Chinese security industry enterprise. A review of Norinco's product list revealed that in 2012 the AH2 was a designation of a 155mm towed artillery with an Auxiliary Propulsion Unit (Auxiliary Propulsion Unit) similar to a 34-caliber GHN-45 heavy artillery shell 155mm that in service with Royal Thai Army.

But later there is a visual information showing the concept and model that the CS/AH2 is a 105mm arc-trajectory light artillery system on a 6x6 propulsion truck. It is understood that for the joint research and development project with DTI Thailand will be a gun system, bigger self-propelled wheel, more than 105mm tires. In which in the years 2010-2013 (2010-2013) the Center for the creation of weapons Defense Industry and Military Energy Center NESDB has developed a towed M425 105mm arc-trajectory light artillery, built in Thailand, mounted on a truck base car.

Artist impression and scale model of chinese Norinco CS/AH2 105mm wheel 6x6 self-propelled howitzer (photo : 007shoes) 

Light artillery, self-propelled artillery M425 105mm, there are 3 prototypes built and served in the Royal Thai Army, 8 systems size 155mm for the Royal Thai Army and Marines Royal Thai Navy (RTMC). This makes it very possible that the CS/AH2 105mm arc-trajectory light artillery prototype research project will be the introduction of artillery systems with fire control and fire control systems installed on trucks according to Thai needs and manufactured in Thailand. 

On the other hand, the Ministry of Defense of Thailand has a need for a project to develop a 105mm light gun that can be towed in the same way as a light cannon with curved ballistics. Consolidated in Thailand since 2006 stationed in the Royal Thai Army, 22 cylinders

Including the replacement of M101A1 285 cylinders that have been stationed since 1952, M425 12-barrel and M618A2 32-barrel built in Thailand, M56 Pack Howitzer, a mountain cannon that entered service in 1986.

Towing type 105mm, which is the supply of LG1 Mk III, which is the latest model in the family after LG1 MkII that was in service during the year 1996-2012 and LG1 MkI who entered service 2011 that the Royal Thai Army has been stationed before. 

Although it is unclear whether the DTI Thai 105mm trajectory light artillery prototype research project will be towed or wheeled artillery or both, but this will be another one in developing the capability of Thailand's security industry through cooperation with friends.

(AAG)