DefenceTalkDefenceTalkThe Army’s chief of staff discussed how to win in great power competition within the Indo-Pacific region Friday after he traveled there earlier this month to meet with military leaders. Indo-Pacific is currently the U.S. military’s highest-priority theater, where near-peer adversaries, China and Russia, have significant influence. “The last thing that anybody wants is some […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-eyes-joint-force-solution-closer-allies-to-win-in-indo-pacific-76129/

SINGAPORE: Airbus Helicopters has signed an order for six H135 military training helicopters from the Royal Thai Air Force, as part of its pilot training enhancement program. The very first military training helicopters ever ordered by the Royal Thai Air Force, these new twin-engine H135s will be utilized for an array of training missions, including […]

DefenceTalkThe Thai Air Force is looking to procure a new fleet of transport aircraft in near future, an Air Force source said on Friday. Competition for the planned procurement of new transport planes might probably emerge between Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation Y-9 and Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, said the source who spoke on condition of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/thailand-buy-new-transport-planes-replace-c-130h-hercules-68178/

DefenceTalkThales has signed significant contracts with the Royal Thai Navy to supply above and underwater solutions. Thales will lead the upgrade of two Bang Rachan Class minehunters, including design provision, integration, training and support. Thales will also provide an integrated combat suite for the RTN’s second Krabi Class Offshore Patrol Vessel. Thales has announced two […]https://www.defencetalk.com/the-royal-thai-navy-selects-thales-to-modernise-its-naval-capabilities-67380/

DefenceTalkKorea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said Thursday that it has signed a $110 million deal to export four T-50 supersonic trainer jets to Thailand. Under the deal, the Korean company will deliver the trainer jets within 30 months. The signing ceremony took place at the JW Marriott Hotel in Seoul. Thailand selected the KAI T-50 over […]https://www.defencetalk.com/thailand-to-buy-korean-t-50-trainer-jets-65434/

DefenceTalkBANGKOK: Airbus Helicopters has completed delivery of an initial four EC725s to the Royal Thai Air Force, providing highly-capable rotorcraft for this military service’s search and rescue and troop transport duties. The order of four EC725s was signed in 2012, with the deliveries having just been completed. They are expected to begin operations later this […]https://www.defencetalk.com/the-royal-thai-air-force-receives-four-ec725-helicopters-65143/

DefenceTalkPerturbed by Thailand’s coup, the United States has scaled back a showpiece joint military exercise with its Southeast Asian ally, but analysts say that with China circling for influence, Washington will not push the kingdom’s generals too far. Famed for its jungle bonding sessions where US and Thai soldiers down snake blood, the annual “Cobra […]https://www.defencetalk.com/as-china-circles-us-thai-military-friendship-stumbles-62876/

DefenceTalkFrance: The airborne capabilities of Thailand’s navy and air force will be significantly enhanced with the acquisition of two mission-ready Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft types: the light-utility EC645 T2 and the 11-ton-class EC725. The Royal Thai Navy signed for five EC645 T2s to be deployed on transport duties and other missions, with deliveries scheduled to begin […]https://www.defencetalk.com/thailand-to-acquire-five-ec645-t2-and-two-ec725-helicopters-60826/

DefenceTalkThe military coup in Thailand has not had an impact on the planned delivery of Swedish Gripen fighter jets with supplies and support, with the Thais now in possession of 12 of the aircraft. “It needs continuous deliveries for maintenance and such,” Jan-Erik Lövgren of the Swedish Agency for non-proliferation and export controls (ISP) told […]https://www.defencetalk.com/thai-coup-not-affecting-swedish-gripen-deal-59750/

DefenceTalkFollowing a coup by the Thai military, the United States has curtailed military-to-military engagement with the Kingdom of Thailand in accordance with U.S. law, Pentagon press secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a written statement today. The Royal Thai Armed Forces took over the country Thursday after earlier imposing martial law. Kirby called […]https://www.defencetalk.com/coup-leads-us-to-curtail-thai-military-engagements-59711/