RTN Sea Hawk Upgrade Deal

RTN S-70B Sea Hawk is in operation from HTMS Chakri Naruebeth with RTN for around 10 years. Three or four years ago there was a new rumor about the upgrade program on the fleet of six Sea Hawks.

On 22 September, Cabinet apporve the 989 million Baht for RTN to upgrade there antisubmarine capability. In the deal, which is believe to be the first from the two phases program, will see three Sea Hawks equipped with AN/ASN-15 Navigational Computer Set and Dipping Sonar from L3 Communication.

The First RTAF Gripen Fly!

First flight for Royal Thai Air Force Gripen

Finally she flying. ^ ^

This is the first of the first batch of six RTAF Gripen ordered in 2008. The aircraft flown in Sweden and the roll-out ceremony is believe to be in 2009. The jet will remain in Sweden for training propose of Thai pilot who will depart for Sweden in summer 2009 and the jet will arrive in Thailand in January 2011.

Three more EC155 For Royal Thai Police Aviation Unit

Royal Thai Police Aviation Division is one of the largest Law Enforcement Flying Unit in South East Asia. On the rotary-wing fleet RTP operate EC155, Bell 412, Bell 212, Bell 205A/A-1,  and Bell 206L-1. Despite the trend of Hawk family in Royal Thai Armed Force, RTP choose to acquire more EC155.

RTN Yet Another OPV From BVT Surface Fleet, and More of T.994 – 996

BVT Surface Fleet, the old and familar face that RTN used to and almost bought the OPV from, make a good come back to RTN. This time joining with Bangkok Dockyard to build new OPV for Royal Thai Navy.

RTN previously commissioned two Pattani-class OPV, the first OPV class in RTN, several years ago. This RTN-design Chinese-build OPV are replaced the older WWII frigate and they project to accquire four more OPV to replace all older WWII frigate and set up the coast guard unit under the command of RTN, but obviously a different class.

More Black Hawks are Joining The RTA Fleet

Today’s fleet of Royal Thai Army helicopter are consists of TH-300, Bell 206, UH-1H, Bell 212, Bell 412, CH-47D, and UH-60L.

There once was a plan to replace UH-1H “Huey” by 33 Black Hawk, but the budget crisis from 1997 Asian Financial Crisis forced RTA to cut the number into only 7.

Base on the original requirement in 2006, there is a requirment for 9 utility helicopter, with the helicopter required will be the same standard with Black Hawk.

Royal Thai Navy SAREX2009 in Songkhla

HTMS Sriracha departing Songkhla Naval base for SAREX.

SSAREX, or Search and Rescue Exercise, is an annual exercise organized by Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Ministry of Transport. The exercise focus on rescuing the aircraft and ship that faced accident. Participant consists of armed force, police, armature radio network, private rescue foundation, hospital, etc. Each year DCA will assigned one government organization as a main host and this year Royal Thai Navy take this role.

CARAT2009 and Photo of Mistral Firing on Board HTMS Chakri Naruebeth

Thai, US Forces Recognize Achievements as CARAT Thailand Concludes 
Release Date: 7/16/2009

By Lt. Ed Early, Commander, Task Group 73.5 Public Affairs  

SATTAHIP, Thailand (July 16, 2009) Notable achievements at sea and on land exemplified the cooperation between the armed forces of Thailand and the United States as the Thailand phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) concluded, July 16.

Photo Gallery: CARAT2009

Royal Thai Navy SEALs jump into the beach

The landing exercise in Had Yao Beach, Sattahip of Royal Thai Navy and US Navy in CARAT2009. 
 

Thailand’s Part CARAT Begin Today!

  I’ll post more photos when the exercise is going on.

CARAT to Provide Numerous Training Opportunities for Thailand, US
Release Date: 7/08/2009
By Lt. Mike Morley, Commander, Task Group 73.5 Public Affairs

SATTAHIP, Thailand (July 8, 2009) Southeast Asia’s only aircraft carrier will be the centerpiece of a combined afloat training schedule for the armed forces of Thailand and the United States during the Thailand phase of the 15th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise, which began July 8.

Photo Gallery: RTA Elite Units In Southern Thailand

Soldiers prepare to storm the house of suspected Muslim militants after an encounter in southern Thailand's Yala province, about 1,084 km (674 miles) south of Bangkok June 27, 2009. A soldier, a policeman and a suspected insurgent were killed in a gun battle in Thailand's restive Muslim south, security forces said on Saturday. REUTERS/Surapan Boonthanom (THAILAND SOCIETY CONFLICT POLITICS CRIME LAW)

As there are no news update on Thai military right now. I provides you a set of photo of RTA Special Unit in action!

Thank http://www.daylife.com.