Thailand receives VN16s and final VN1s
The Royal Thai Marine Corps has received its first VN16s from China. (Sompong Nondhasa)
Thailand's military continues its trend of relatively recent reliance on equipment from China.
The final batch of VN1 8x8 armoured vehicles for the Royal Thai Army (RTA), along with three VN16 amphibious light tanks for the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC), reached Thai shores on 28 May.
Norinco delivered 39 VN1 units in this third batch. The army had received 34 VN1s in the first batch in 2019 and the second batch of 39 vehicles last year (of various models).
The VN1s will equip the 10th Cavalry Battalion at Suriyaphong Camp, Nan Province, and the 7th Cavalry Battalion at Phichai Dab Hak Camp, Uttaradit Province. These battalions in northern Thailand were originally
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![The year ahead: Major trends and forecasts for the land domain in 2026]()
The year ahead: Major trends and forecasts for the land domain in 2026
2025 was a busy year for the land domain and 2026 looks set to be just as big. Shephard’s Dr Peter Magill analyses some of the major trends we are likely to see in the year ahead.
-
![Can Iranian air defence systems compete for exports?]()
Can Iranian air defence systems compete for exports?
Iran’s defence industry is now producing a range of surface-to-air missile systems and has begun to market them internationally. Using what appears to be a mixture of original and reverse-engineered elements, how do they stack up compared to other countries’ offerings?
-
![Land forces review: howitzers in the spotlight and Germany spends big to close the year]()
Land forces review: howitzers in the spotlight and Germany spends big to close the year
December saw several milestones on the howitzer front with billions of dollars worth of orders placed and Germany committing to more 6×6 and 4×4 vehicles. Taiwan was also approved for equipment orders worth $11 billion even as the year came to an end with China encircling the country as part of an exercise.
