Government House, Bangkok, Mach 28, 1500 Hrs - Mr Danuporn Punnakan, Deputy Spokesman, with the office of the Prime Minister, announced that the cabinet had just given its approval to the Ministry of Defence’s request for procurement of six self propelled 155 mm Howitzers at a cost of 1.305 billion baht.

The weapons would be included in the Royal Thai Army’s multi-fiscal year debt that runs until 2008. The price of the weapons also includes training, technical manuals, spare-parts and maintenance.

The procurement is consistent with the development plan of the 2nd Infantry Division, King’s Guard - an armoured vehicle unit assigned by the Royal Thai Army as the lead unit under the contingency plan.

The purchase is also in line with the Army’s weapons modernisation principles where ease of mobility is combined with accuracy and highly destructive firepower, providing strategic forces with distinct advantages when engaged in close-range combat.

Krungthep Turakij
05.04.2006