Thailand’s Hawk Family Helicopters
Aug 10, 2009 11:30 EDT
COBRA GOLD 1997
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Thailand’s extensive territories, unrest on its borders, and placement in a zone prone to natural disasters all make helicopters a critical aspect of its military capabilities. Vietnam-era UH-1H Hueys and similar Bell 212/412s twin-Hueys form the bulk of its force, and a small detachment of S-92 Superhawks serve as transports for the Royal Family, but Thailand also has a handful of H-60 family helicopters in service. Its small aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet [CV911] carries a contingent of 6 S-70B (SH-60B) Seahawk surveillance and utility helicopters, and the Army reportedly has 6 S-70A-43 (UH-60L) Black Hawks in service. Another 2 MH-60S multi-role naval helicopters are due to arrive soon.
Thailand’s central difficulty is its need to replace the flood of helicopters it received during and after the Vietnam War, many of which were provided as aid, with newer machines bought via its limited defense budget and much smaller aid grants. Sikorsky’s H-60 family is being bought in a variety of roles, but slowly, in limited numbers – and not without competition.
Contracts & Key Events
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Aug 8/11: A pair of MH-60S Seahawk helicopters fly from Owego, NY into the Port of Baltimore, MD, for ship transport to Thailand. Once there, they’ll join an existing fleet of 6 S-70B Seahawks, and 6 marinized S-76 utility helicopters. Sikorsky adds that: “The [Thai] Navy has expressed interest in additional MH-60S purchases” for utility missions, and search and rescue duties using the standard surveillance turret, searchlight and rescue hoist.
July 19-24: Talk about your bad run for Army Aviation. An old Thai UH-1H crashed on July 16th, so they sent a UH-60 Blackhawk to recover remains etc. It crashed in challenging weather on July 19th. So they sent a UH-1N/212 twin-Huey. Which… crashed on the 24th.
Toll: 17 dead, and Thailand’s 54 UH-1N’s are now grounded.
July 13/11: The US DSCA announces [PDF] Thailand’s official request for 3 UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters, with 8 T700-GE-701D Engines (6 installed and 2 spares), Dual MXF-4027 VHF/UHF-AM/FM communication radios, AN/ARC-201E Export SINCGARS Airborne Radios, AN/AXP-117 CXPs (Common Digital IFF Transponder), plua other government furnished equipment, engineering changes, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, an Aviation Mission Planning Station, a Transportable Blackhawk Operations Simulator (TBOS), ad other U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support. The estimated cost is $235 million.
The prime contractors will be Sikorsky Aircraft Company in Stratford, CT; and General Electric Aircraft Company in Lynn, MA. Implementation of this sale will require the U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Thailand for 5 weeks for equipment de-processing/fielding, system checkout and new equipment training, and a Contractor Furnished Service Representative for 1 year.
The associated infrastructure and cost raises the possibility of larger plans, and there is certainly room for more utility helicopters in Thailand. The RTAF is looking to replace its UH-1 Iroquois, while large fractions of the Army’s Vietnam-era UH-1H helicopters are not mission-ready.
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Aug 6/09: The US DSCA announces [PDF] Thailand’s formal request to buy 3 UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters, along with their 6 T700-GE-701D engines with C controls, AN/APX 100 (V) Identification Friend or Foe Mark XII Transponder Set or a suitable substitute/commercial equivalent, internal hoist kits, plus related warranty, spare and repair parts, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, and other support. Total cost could be up to $150 million, if a contract is signed. The DSCA release adds that:
“Thailand needs these helicopters to fulfill its strategic commitments for search and rescue and self-defense within the region without being dependent upon assistance from other countries. This proposed sale will upgrade its air mobility capability and provide for the defense of vital installations and close air support for ground forces.”
The principal contractor will be Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation of Stratford, CT. Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of 1 contractor representative to Thailand for 2 years.
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Oct 28/08: Thailand elects to order up to 6 Russian Mi-17s, despite stated desires to reduce the number of aircraft types in service. The reason? Money. See “Thais Go Russian, Buy Mi-17 Helicopters,” which quotes one Thai official as saying that:
“We are buying three Mi-17 helicopters for the price of one Black Hawk. The Mi-17 can also carry more than 30 troops, while the Black Hawk could carry only 13 soldiers. These were the key factors behind the decision.”
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June 18/07: The Royal Thai Navy becomes the first international customer to buy the MH-60S helicopter, after signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance with the U.S. Government to purchase 2 Sikorsky MH-60S aircraft for an estimated program value of $58 million inclusive of spares, support and training.
The agreement, signed by the U.S. Navy and the Royal Thai Navy, specifies delivery of the aircraft in 2009. Sikorsky release.
April 7/06: The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces [PDF format] Thailand’s request to buy up to 6 MH-60S Seahawk helicopters and 14 T700 engines (12 equipped, 2 spare), plus spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, contractor engineering and technical support services and other related elements of logistics support. The total value, if a contract is signed, could be as high as $246 million.
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) will use the helicopters in a utility role, alongside their existing and closely-related S-70B Sea Hawk helicopters. Though the Thai government’s response to recent tsunami was given very positive ratings, the event highlighted Thailand’s need to enhance its maritime defense and disaster relief capabilities. As the most modern naval utility variant of the H-60 series, the MH-60S apparently fit their requirements better than the Army-optimized UH-60Ms or the MH-60R strike and multi-role variant.
There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation will require up to 10 U.S. contractor representatives for periodic short-term visits not to exceed three months for each visit. One field service representative will be available for up to 2 years in Thailand. The principal contractors would be:
- Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in Stratford, CT (manufacturer)
- Lockheed Martin Federal Systems in Owego, NY (cockpit & avionics, systems & weapons integration, training system)
- General Electric Corporation in Stratford, CT (engines)
July 21/05: The US DSCA announces [PDF] Thailand’s formal request to buy 2 UH-60L BLACK HAWK helicopters with engines, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, contractor engineering and technical support services and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $46 million. Even though they’re S-70A/UH-60Ls, which are generally used by the Royal Thai Army, the DSCA release adds that:
“The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) requires the helicopters to fulfill utility lift requirements. This was emphasized during the heightened operation tempo during the recent tsunami search and rescue operations. The RTN intends to reduce the variety of airframe platforms in its inventory.”
When the helicopters arrive, implementation will require 8 U.S. contractor representatives for 2 weeks and 1 field service representative for up to 2 years in Thailand.
Nov 29/04: Sikorsky delivers 2 S-70 Black Hawks to the Royal Thai Army at a ceremony. With the delivery, the Royal Thai Army now has 5 S-70s, acquired through the U.S.Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Sikorsky says they had had previously delivered 6 S-70B Seahawks for shipborne service and 6 S-76s for search-and-rescue to the Royal Thai Navy via FMS. Sikorsky release.
March 18/03: The US DSCA announces [PDF] Thailand’s formal request to buy 2 UH-60L BLACKHAWK helicopters with T-700 engines, 2 spare T-700 engines, M130 chaff dispenser, receivers, spare and repair parts, gun pods, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government Quality Assurance Team (QAT), contractor engineering and technical support services and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $35 million.
“This procurement will upgrade its air mobility capability and provide for the defense of vital installations and close air support for ground forces. Thailand will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.”
The principle contractor will be Sikorsky Aircraft of Stratford, CT. Implementation of this sale will require the assignment of several U.S. Government Quality Assurance Teams for 1-week intervals, twice annually, to participate in program management and technical reviews. There will be several U.S. Army National Guard Personnel, for a month, and a contractor field service representative, for 2 years, in Thailand.
Additional Readings and Sources
- Wikipedia – Royal Thai Army
- Wikipedia – List of equipment in Royal Thai Navy
- Sikorsky – BLACK HAWK Helicopter
- Sikorsky – SEAHAWK Helicopter
- Army Technology – S-70A Black Hawk Multi-Mission Helicopter, USA
- Naval Technology – S-70B Seahawk – Naval Helicopter, USA
- Naval Technology – MH-60S Knighthawk – Multi-Mission Naval Helicopter, USA
