Thai Army takes delivery of VN1 Phase 2 and last VT4 MBT from China.

A series of pictures that were published on Thai online social media in mid-September, likely taken at the Horse Guards Cavalry Center, Adisorn Camp, Saraburi Province, showed a significant number of VN1 8x8 APCs transported from China to Thailand, Defense Studies reports.
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NORINCO VN1 APCs delivered to the Royal Thai Army (Picture source: AAG)

So, this indicates that the Royal Thai Army is in the process of receiving delivery of the VN1 Phase 2 wheeled vehicles that were ordered in 2019 for an amount of 2,251,928,086 baht ($ 66,233,179). The contract was for 3 VN1 APC armored vehicles, 12 120mm SM4A grenade launchers, and 9 units of VS27 8x8 Recovery Vehicles, 12 Reconnaissance and Command Vehicles (VE36), 3 VN1 Ambulances and 3 maintenance vehicles, 1 mechanical equipment and 1 electrical equipment maintenance vehicle, and various ammunition.

In December 2019, the Royal Thai Army received VN1 Phase 1 wheeled vehicles for an amount of around 2,300 million baht ($ 68 million) ordered in 2017. The contract concered 34 VN1 armored personnel carriers, 2 VS27 recovery vehicles, 1 mechanical tool maintenance vehicle and 1 electrical equipment maintenance vehicle. The number of vehicles ordered for the VN1 8x8 family was 75 units.

China North Industries Corporation (Norinco) released a video promoting the tests of the VN1 8x8 armored vehicle with a UW4B remote turret of the Thai Army. Overall, weapons were tested including a 30mm automatic gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, a 40mm grenade launcher and a Red Arrow 73D missile launcher in China, where Thailand was the first export customer to order the VN1 with a remotely controlled turret. But there is no antitank missile launcher.

It is expected that the VN1 8x8 wheeled vehicle will enter service at the 10th Cavalry Regiment (M.K. 10), the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, the 1st Cavalry Brigade, which is understood that M.K. 10 has changed level from Cavalry Reconnaissance Battalion to Armored Cavalry Battalion. The next batch of the VN1series will be delivered by M.K. 10, previously stationed in BTR-3E1 8x8 APC Ukraine.

NORINCO VN1 APCs delivered to the Royal Thai Army (Picture source: AAG)

As well as transporting the VN1 Phase 2 wheeled vehicle, NORINCO has also delivered the last VT4 main battle tank to Thailand. As scheduled, the tank was originally scheduled for delivery in early 2020 but it was postponed to September 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak in China.

According to the documents of the Royal Thai Army Ordnance Department, on December 20, 2019, the Thai Army plans to procure VT4 tanks, phase 4, consisting of 10 VT4s and 1 simulator for training, all this for an amount of 1,662,375,000 baht ($53,625,000)

The Royal Thai Army has managed 28 units of VT4 tanks for Phase 1 in 2016, Phase 2 for 10 tanks and 1 maintenance vehicle in 2017, Phase 3 with 14 tanks in 2018 and phase 4 with 10 tanks, totaling 62 MBTs, inducted in the 6th Cavalry Battalion and 21st Cavalry Battalion, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Cavalry Brigade.

VT-4 MBT simulator delivered by NORINCO to the Royal Thai Army (Picture source: RTA)