Thailand Seeks Six UH-72A Lakota Helicopters

WASHINGTON – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress June 7 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Thailand of 6 UH-72A Lakota Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $77 million.

UH-72A Lakota helicopter (photo : paulp)

The Government of Thailand has requested a possible sale of 6 UH-72A Lakota Helicopters, spare and repair parts, support equipment, communication equipment, publications and technical documentation, Aviation Mission Planning Station, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $77 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States, by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in Southeast Asia.

This proposed sale will contribute to Thailand's goal to upgrade and modernize its military forces with a new light utility helicopter capable of meeting requirements for rotary-wing transportation, while further enhancing greater interoperability between Thailand the U.S., and among other allies. Thailand will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be EADS North America, in Herndon, Virginia. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Thailand for a period of five weeks for equipment deprocessing/ fielding, system checkout and new equipment training and a Contractor Furnished Service Representative (CFSR) for a period of one year.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

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Lockheed Martin Offers LCS to Thailand

Jan 31, 2013- Thai frigate competition among potential Lockheed Martin deals for ships, helos in Asia

Lockheed Martin is considering offering its Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) in response to a request for proposals (RfP) from the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) for a frigate, the US-headquarted group confirmed on January 25.

Lockheed Martin's Littoral Combat Ship (photo : Lockheed Martin)

The Thai government finally approved funding of up to USD1 billion in September 2012 to procure two modern frigates over the coming years. The requirement had previously been put on hold for more than a decade due to funding issues. Government support finally came as a result of economic expansion and the need to enhance the combat capability of the RTN.

Confirmation of Lockheed Martin's interest in the programme came from Doug Laurendeau, business development director of the company's ship and aviation systems unit. It is one of a number of opportunities that Lockheed Martin is pursuing in the Asia-Pacific region, he said.

Lockheed Martin would be likely to face competition to meet the Thai frigate requirement from South Korea and Germany. Platforms known to be under consideration include the DW3000H frigate design from South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and the MEKO platform of Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.

(Jane's)