The US State Department has approved a potential sale of Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin anti-tank missiles to Thailand for an estimated USD83.5 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA) announced on 30 July.
Thailand is looking to buy Javelin anti-tank missiles from the United States. (Raytheon Missile Systems)
The Foreign Military Sale (FMS), which is subject to US Congressional approval, includes 300 Javelin FGM-148 missiles, 50 launch units, and associated equipment and support. The DCSA said the Javelin will replace the Royal Thai Army's (RTA's) M40 series 106 mm recoilless rifle, which it acquired through US military aid in the Vietnam war era.
It added that the proposed sale will allow the RTA to “modernise [its] light anti-tank capability and maintain its current force posture, as well as enhance interoperability with the US during operations and training exercises”.
The RTA is understood to have a long-standing requirement to modernise its anti-tank capability. The RTA has previously expressed interest in acquiring the SKIF anti-tank system, which is produced through a programme between Ukraine and Belarus, and the Red Arrow 12E (‘Hongjian-12E', or HJ-12E) system made by China's Norinco.
In December 2020 the RTA also took delivery of an undisclosed number of Spike MR (medium-range) anti-tank guided missiles and launchers from Israeli firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. This equipment is operated by the RTA's 6th Infantry Division in the northeastern Roi Et province.
The RTA's anti-tank capability is framed by a series of US-made weapons that have been in operation for several decades. This equipment includes the M40 series, the M72 LAW light weapon, the FGM‐77 Dragon, and BGM-71 TOW missiles.
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