BANGKOK, Aug 30 (TNA) — Army chief Gen Apirat Kongsompong assured that the used Stryker carrier vehicles that the army was buying from the United States remained functional and the US was using them.
Gen Apirat who received four Stryker armored vehicles at Wing 2 in Bangkok’s Don Muang district yesterday said although the vehicles that the army bought had been used in Iraq and Afghanistan, their parts and systems including transmissions, engine systems and lights were replaced and the US promised to supply their parts and send its personnel to guide their maintenance.
The army ordered 37 Stryker vehicles for delivery this year and the US gave away 23 more. Consequently Thailand would receive a total of 60 vehicles this year, Gen Apirat said.
For next year, the army could afford 50 vehicles and the US might give away another 30 ones, he said.
“This shows that the US army supported Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha who assumed office through the election, the army chief said.
The Commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command assured that the Stryker vehicles could be used for at least 10 more years, Gen Apirat said. (TNA)
