Royal Thai Army (RTA)
The RTA is facing a challenge of operating aging hardware such as V-150 and Stingray tanks, Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), and other transport trucks. It is anticipated that the RTA will focus on upgrading old hardware along with identifying needs for improvement of its firepower and mobility. This focus will enable RTA to operate in MOOTWAR functions, as well as conduct missions in lowlight and night environments. Under the RTA's force modernization program, it is seeking new military hardware to improve mobility and firepower of cavalry and mechanized divisions. Military equipment believed to be on RTA's priority list are as follows:
- Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs)
- Upgrade of the existing C4I system
- Night-Vision equipment
- Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS)
- Self-propelled 155mm/52 Caliber Guns
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance missions
- Short Range Air Defense System (SHORADS)
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)
During the past several years, the development project that RTAF has been focusing on is the project to improve its air defense systems called "RTADS" (Royal Thai Air Defense System) which includes installation of early warning radars and related equipment in several parts of the country. The RTADS project began in 1985 and is expected to be completed by 2006. Phase I and III of the project have already been completed and the country is now equipped with early warning radars and integrated air defense information systems in the North, Northeast, Central, and South. The ongoing RTADS Phase II will cover the Thai-Burmese border in the west and Thai-Cambodia border in the east.
In other developments, the RTAF has been upgrading and modernizing its aircraft fleet. RTAF operates several types of aircraft such as Alphajets, F-5Es, F-16 A/Bs fighter jets and C-130 transport planes. The Alphajets that RTAF operates are 20-year old refurbished aircraft from Dassault/Dornier Germany and their primary mission is to enhance the ground attack capability of the RTAF.
RTAF is also planning to purchase more transport aircraft to be used in MOOTWAR operations. Currently the RTAF has about twelve C-130 transport planes, which are not sufficient for disaster relief operations as well as accommodating the Thai government policy to use military transport planes to export Thai agricultural products during peacetime. Listed below are equipment/projects with best sales prospect to the RTAF.
- Air Defense Systems: SHORAD, VSHORAD, MANPADS
- Medium and Long-Range Radar Systems
- Airborne Early Warning Systems and UAVs
- Transport Aircraft
- Electronic Warfare Equipment
- Air-to-Air Missiles
- New Ejection Seats for Alphajets
Royal Thai Navy (RTN)
The main mission of the RTN is to defend the areas where the national's economic interests are at stake, both in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman seas. Thai territorial waters are filled with natural resources and maritime interests include shipping lanes, fishing areas, and oil & gas platforms. RTN has identified specific threats to Thai maritime industries, for instance: piracy, maritime border disputes with neighboring countries, smuggling of goods, and disputes over ownership of offshore resources. RTN is therefore seeking defense equipment suitable for dealing with this type of threats.
In the past few years RTN has acquired major hardware such as a helicopter carrier (Chakri Naruebet) built in Spain, Yarrow-class frigates, and missile frigates from China. The Chakri Naruebet carrier came equipped with V-8S and TAV-8S Matador (Harrier) jump jets, and Seahawk S-70B-7 multi-role helicopters. However, these aircraft need an upgrade of modern weapon systems and avionics, especially on the Seahawk helicopters and the Harriers.
In addition, there are several other potential procurement priorities within the Thai Navy, which include the following equipment:
- Modern weapons and amphibious assault equipment for the Marine Corps.
- Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs)
- Ship-based air defense systems
- Land-based radar systems
- Upgrade/replacement of S-70B Seahawk helicopters and AV-8 Harriers
- Conventional Submarine Package, incl. Training program
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