Huey’s Departure: Thailand’s New Helicopters

May 09, 2013 13:30 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff

US UH-60s during
COBRA GOLD 1997
(click to view full)

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. About 50 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 needs new helicopters. Unfortunately, newer machines must be bought via Thailand’s limited defense budget and much smaller aid grants, instead of arriving as part of a flood of war-related aid.

Thailand began its efforts by buying a handful of H-60 family helicopters, but rather than standardize, they’re buying a widening variety of helicopters in very small lots. This article chronicles the timeline of Thai requests, buys, and deliveries since 2003.

Thailand’s New Fleets

Thailand’s small aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet [CV911] carries a contingent of 6 S-70B (SH-60B) Seahawk surveillance and utility helicopters. The navy recently added 2 new Sikorsky MH-60S naval utility helicopters to complement the older S-70Bs, and Thailand’s 6 S-76 search & rescue machines. The navy also operates 2 AgustaWestland Super Lynx 300 anti-submarine helicopters.

The Army reportedly has 5 S-70A-43 (UH-60L) Black Hawks left in service, and has official requests in place for more UH-60Ls, and for upgraded UH-60Ms.

For light utility and armed scout duties, Thailand bought 8 of Eurocopter’s AS550 Fennec helicopters. Sikorsky has armed Black Hawk kits, but offers nothing in this class.

Other buys have represented more direct competition. A 2008 buy of 6 Russian Mi-17s was a cheaper way to supplement their dwindling helicopter inventory, providing similar capabilities to the Black Hawks in a larger but less expensive machine. A 2012 buy of 4 AgustaWestland AW139s introduced another implicit competitor, even as it acts to further fragment supply chains and training requirements.

The Black Hawk family’s HH-60M also got passed over for Thailand’s Search And Rescue role, in favor of the larger and more expensive Eurocopter EC725.

Contracts & Key Events

Oct 26/12: Media reports say that the Pentagon has offered to sell Thailand 1,150 Humvees used in military operations in Iraq, 3 Black Hawk helicopters (type unspecified) for the army, 5 used F-16s for the RTAF, and 2 used FFG-7 Oliver Hazard Perry Class frigates for the navy. That’s not an official export case yet, but the offer was described as “amicable.” Bangkok Post.

July 25/12: UH-60M request. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces [PDF] Thailand’s request to buy 4 UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters, 10 T700-GE-701D Engines (8 installed and 2 spares), plus warranties, support equipment, spare and repair parts, training, and support. The estimated cost is $235 million, but exact costs will depend on a negotiated contract.

The principal contractors will be Sikorsky in Stratford, CT (helicopter) and General Electric Aircraft Company in Lynn, MA (engines). Implementation of this proposed sale will require U.S. Government representatives to travel to Thailand for a period of 5 weeks for equipment deprocessing/fielding, system checkout and new equipment training, plus a Contractor Furnished Service Representative (CFSR) for a period of 1 year.

July 13/11: UH-60M request. 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), and 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.

Aug 6/09: UH-60L request. 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.

April 7/06: MH-60S request. 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 and if a contract is negotiated and 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.

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

• AgustaWestland – AW139M

• Army Technology – AS 550 Fennec Light Military Helicopter, France. See also Eurocopter’s page.

• Eurocopter – Cougar EC725

• 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

• DID FOCUS – MH-60R/S: The USA’s New Naval Workhorse Helicopters

• Naval Technology – MH-60S Knighthawk – Multi-Mission Naval Helicopter, USA