THAILAND'S LAKOTA PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENT WIDENS AS STATE DEPT APPROVES SALE REQUEST
WASHINGTON - Thailand has placed a second request for possible purchase of UH-72A Lakota helicopters via the U.S. Department of Defense' government-to-government foreign military sales (FMS) channel. The State Department announced to Congress on September 26 of its approval of a possible $89 million sale of 9 UH-72A Lakota helicopters, including spare and repair parts, support and communication equipment, publications and technical documentation, plus training. Thailand had previously placed a request for six UH-72A Lakota's on June 7, 2013, with the Pentagon announcing a $34 million initial FMS contract on March 28, 2014.
The Lakota's are intended for the Royal Thai Army which will use them in medical evacuation and logistic and support missions. The Royal Thai Army is gradually replacing its aging fleets of Vietnam War-era Bell UH-1H Iroquois ("Huey") and Bell 212/412 "twin-Huey" utility helicopters. These are mainly used for light tactical transport, but also in the scout role.
The State Department approval of Thailand's FMS request comes just over four months after the Thai military undertook a coup, thus suspending the nation's constitution and placing an army-headed junta in power. Junta leader and Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha handed over control of the army to a trusted ally this week (General Udomdej Sitabutr), thus allowing him to transition solely to civilian politics - a symbolic move that ensures the military's grip on government power remains in place.
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