Thailand to receive first batch of Stryker 8x8 armored vehicles.

According to the Newspaper website "Bangkok Post", Thailand will receive next month, a batch of US-made wheeled armored vehicles, Stryker. The vehicle will be used by infantry units of the Royal Thai Army.

A U.S. Army M1126 Stryker patrols during a live-fire training event as part of exercise Orient Shield 2017 at Camp Fuji, Sept. 13, 2017. (Picture source U.S. DoD)

In July 2019, the U.S. State Department had announced a possible Foreign Military Sale to Thailand of 60 Stryker infantry carrier vehicles with equipment and support for an estimated cost of $175 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 26, 2019.

The Government of Thailand has requested to buy sixty (60) Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICV); and sixty (60) M2 Flex .50 cal machine guns. Also included are spare parts, Basic Issue Items (BII), Components of End Items (COEI), Additional Authorized List (AAL) (specific items for operations and maintenance), Special Tools and Test Equipment (STTE), technical manuals, OCONUS Deprocessing Service, M6 smoke grenade launchers (4 per vehicle) and associated spares, AN/VAS-5 Driver's Vision Enhancer (DVE), AN/VIC-3 vehicle intercommunications system, contractor provided training and Field Service Representatives (FSR), and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $175 million

General Apirat Kongsompong, the Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Army, said Thailand will receive 70 of the combat vehicles Stryker by year-end under the US Foreign Military Sales program.

The Stryker is a family of 8x8 wheeled armored vehicles derived from the Canadian LAV III. Stryker vehicles are produced by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada for the United States Army. The Stryker M1126 ICV is the infantry armored personnel carrier vehicle version. The vehicle carries a combat squad of 9 soldiers in the rear compartment.

The M1126 Stryker's hull is constructed from high-hardness steel which offers a basic level of protection against 14.5mm rounds on the frontal arc, and all-around protection against 7.62mm caliber ammunition.

The Stryker IFV is powered by a Caterpillar C7 Diesel engine developing 350 hp. The vehicle can run at a maximum road speed of 100 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 500 km.