In what constitutes a reinforcement of infantry support capabilities, the Royal Thai Army has confirmed the purchase from China of an additional batch of new VN-1 8×8 armored vehicles, which are designed and manufactured by the state-owned company China North Industries Corporation (Norinco). According to sources that disclosed the news to specialized media, the corresponding agreement was signed on January 12 in the city of Beijing, a fact later confirmed by the Defense Attaché Office of the Thai embassy in the Asian giant.
Providing further details on the transaction, local reports indicate that it will require an investment of around 1 billion baht (approximately USD 29.1 million), already allocated within the defense budget for fiscal year 2025, constituting the fourth batch of these vehicles that Bangkok will add to equip its Army. It is also known that the agreement was signed by Liu Jinkui on behalf of Norinco and by Lieutenant General Natthaporn Khwam-yam, who serves as head of the Thai Army’s Artillery Department.
In addition, Thai military authorities emphasized to local media that the purchase of this new batch of armored vehicles responds to an acquisition program already underway, of which this would be the final planned stage. This clarification comes amid speculation pointing to the need for new units due to border tensions between Thailand and neighboring Cambodia, stressing that these are long-term plans rather than a response to any specific incident.
Directly related to the above, it is worth highlighting that Thailand already operates 111 vehicles belonging to the VN-1 family, also known as the ZBL-08 under its export designation. Specifically, these were delivered in five different variants, including personnel carrier, emergency medical evacuation, self-propelled mortar (with a 120 mm SM4A system), vehicle recovery, and command variants. The first contract for the acquisition of these vehicles was signed in 2017, while deliveries began in 2021.
On the other hand, it is important to note that this is not the only area of defense cooperation between Bangkok and Beijing, with the latter being a major supplier of equipment and a partner in combined exercises for the former. Reviewing some recent examples, mention can be made of the purchase of an S26T attack submarine to equip the Royal Thai Navy, an acquisition that went through multiple complications due to the replacement of the original German MTRU-396 engines with China-manufactured CGD620 models. In addition, the Asian giant has supplied its new QBZ-195T rifles to Thai special operations units, which became the first international customer for that weapon system.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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