Disappointed with a lack of independent TT option for India. A South Asian TT wouldve been nice.
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Lmao, what? Definitely not exclusively.
Even the Royal Thai Navy’s submarine acquisition only recently moved forward after years of deadlock — and that’s because the S26T submarines were originally supposed to be fitted with German MTU engines, which China failed to secure. As a result, the project stalled, and Thailand ended up in a difficult position after having already paid more than half of the contract amounting to $237 million with only 37% of the total cost remaining. The RTN was eventually forced to concede that China could proceed if it could provide credible proof that its indigenous engines could match the performance and longevity of the German ones.
The entire submarine program has left a sour taste, especially since it was the former junta government that pressured the RTN to select the Chinese design back in 2014.
The same can be said — though with a more positive outcome — for the VT-4 tank acquisition in 2016, also made under the junta. That deal was better received due to the quick delivery and decent operational performance of the tanks.
In recent years, however, the Royal Thai Armed Forces have shown little interest in further Chinese-made systems. The new Gripen E/F contract was signed just this August, and the upcoming frigate acquisition program looks set to favor South Korean designs instead of Chinese ones.
Thailand’s relatively close relationship with China is more a product of Beijing’s growing regional influence than of any deliberate strategic alignment on Bangkok’s part. In fact, Thailand cannot be fully comfortable with China’s regional moves — particularly as Beijing arms Cambodia, with whom Thailand has long had uneasy relations. The PLAN’s joint base in Cambodia and Phnom Penh’s acquisition of two free Type 056 frigates are especially concerning for Bangkok.
To me, Thailand is simply being pragmatic. The same can be said for Vietnam, which maintains formal defense cooperation and even joint exercises with China — but everyone knows that Sino-Vietnamese relations are far from warm or trusting.
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That’s not my point, I said Thailand is needed and there is a connection.
I agree there is individually no relation between Singapore and Japan, there is also no need for Singapore to support Japan when Thailand and Indonesia do it already.
I do not say Singapore should be added to Japan.
Nah nope Chinese shouldn’t get anyone export anymore since they don’t let anyone get their export
and Leopard 2 SG definitely should not go to Chinese if anyone should get it should be Germany.
I find funny when people want india as an independent tree bc at most they have like 6 unique airframes and maybe like 2 helicopters, its not enough for a indpendent tree