The Thai government approved funds on 9 October to support the Royal Thai Army's (RTA's) purchase of additional Mil Mi-17V-5 multimission helicopters from Russia, and the acquisition of UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopters from Eurocopter North America.

The procurement programmes feature the RTA's purchase of six UH-72As for THB1,737 million (USD55 million) and two Mi-17V-5 helicopters for THB1,253 million. The government said payments for the respective purchases would be made available from the defence budgets from 2013 to 2015.

An RTA spokesman confirmed to IHS Jane's that the government's decision effectively gives the RTA permission to go ahead and sign contracts to procure the helicopters at the earliest opportunity.


http://www.janes.com/article/28164/t...er-procurement