
The US State Department has approved a potential sale of 60 Stryker infantry carrier vehicles (ICV) and related equipment to Thailand in a transaction that could cost around $175m.
Under the foreign military sale, Thailand has also requested for 60 M2 Flex .50 calibre machine guns, spare parts, basic issue items (BII), components of end items (COEI).
Other items in the sale package include M6 smoke grenade launchers, AN/VAS-5 Driver’s Vision Enhancer (DVE), and AN/VIC-3 vehicle intercommunications system.
The US will also provide training, logistics and programme support.
Following State Department approval, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the sale.
In a statement, DSCA said: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US by helping to improve the security of a major non-Nato ally in INDO-PACOM, which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the region.”
The agency stated that the Stryker vehicles will equip Thailand with the capability to safeguard its territory from threats.
The procurement of the ICVs is intended to fill the capability void between light infantry soldiers and heavy mechanised units.
General Dynamics Land Systems is the principal contractor for the delivery of the Stryker vehicle.
In May this year, Bangkok Post reported that the Royal Thai Army was looking to purchase 37 ‘refurbished’ US M1126 Stryker vehicles.
The report stated that the Thai Army will also receive 23 additional Stryker vehicles for free.
The Stryker A1 eight-wheeled vehicle fleet is in service with the US Army. It can accommodate nine soldiers and a three-soldier crew.