Regional News
Royal Thai Army Takes Delivery of Ukraine Oplot-M Battle Tanks
SATTAHIP– The Royal Thai Army has taken delivery the first five Ukraine Oplot-M battle tanks to Thailand of a 2011 order worth over $200 million, a state-run arms exporter said Wednesday.
The shipment is part of an order of 49 Oplot-M tanks to be put in service with the Royal Thai Army in the near future.
The Oplot-M tanks arrived at the port of Sattahip on Tuesday and will undergo additional acceptance trials, Royal Thai Army said in a statement.
The Oplot-M is armed with a 125-mm smoothbore gun, a 7.62-mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7-mm anti-aircraft machine gun.
The main gun can fire a laser-guided missile against battle tanks, armored vehicles and hovering helicopters within a range of five kilometers (3.1 miles).
The tank’s protection system integrates both passive armor and explosive reactive armor.
The Ukraine has recently become an active competitor on global arms markets thanks to a reputation for reliable weaponry, relatively low prices and extended post-sale and repair warranties.
According to data published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Ukraine exported major conventional arms worth $1.3 billion in 2012, making it the fourth largest arms exporter in the world that year.
Sales to Asian countries accounted for 47 percent of exports, while African countries and former Soviet states bought 23 percent and 21 percent respectively of Ukrainian arms, SIPRI reported.
