Thais purchasing new Chinese armoured vehicles

A VN1 armored vehicle produced by NORINCO. Chinese defence ministry

#International

During the current ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, the Royal Thai Army has announced the purchase of new VN1 armored vehicles from China, with a signing ceremony taking place on January 12.

The “Signing ceremony of the VN1 project between the Royal Thai Army and NORNCO” took place between Lieutenant General Nattaporn Kwanyam, director-general of the Army Ordnance Department and Zhang Xin, chief representative of NORINCO in Thailand, representing China, according to the Office of the Defence and Army Attaché, Royal Thai Embassy, Beijing, in a social media post.

“The delegation held official discussions with Liu Jinkui, senior vice-president of China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), and participated in the signing ceremony of an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the People’s Republic of China,” it said.

The event took place in the reception room within the NORINCO office building in Beijing, People’s Republic of China. NORINCO is controlled by the Chinese government.

According to the attache, Nattaporn and his delegation arrived in China on January 12 and visited the armaments exhibition at the NORINCO’s exhibition room in Beijing.

Neither the Royal Thai Embassy, Beijing and NORINCO revealed details of the new contract.

Thai media reported that Thailand has allocated $31 million for the Fiscal Year 2025 for a new batch of VN1 armored vehicles.

In 2017 and 2019, Thailand purchased 38 VN-1 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and 41 supporting VS27 armored rescue vehicles (ARV) from NORINCO.

In 2019, Thailand also purchased 10 VT-4 tanks and a tank repair vehicle.

-The Phnom Penh Post-