Thailand has added to a recent planned acquisition of Airbus Helicopters UH-72A Lakotas with a separate deal for five light-utility EC645 T2s and two 11t EC725s.
To be operated by the Royal Thai Navy, the EC645 T2s are the latest version of the twin-engined type and the purchase is the first export order for the military variant. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2016.
So far only Germany has committed to the Turbomeca Arriel 2E-powered helicopter - the militarised version of the EC145 T2 - for use by its special forces.
The EC725s, meanwhile, are destined for the Royal Thai Air Force, which will utilise the Makila 2A-powered rotorcraft for search and rescue and combat search and rescue missions.
Deliveries are due to take place in 2017 and will join four other examples dating from a 2012 order which will be handed over from 2015.
Earlier this month Bangkok requested additional Lakotas – the military variant of the older EC145 – from Airbus Helicopters’ US subsidiary for its army.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
