Chinese Marine Officers Arrive in Thailand for Joint Military Drill "Blue Strike 2010"

A Chinese special contingent made up of 115 marine officers arrived here Tuesday to join a joint military drill code-named "Blue Strike 2010" with Thai troops.It is the first time that Chinese marines go abroad to conduct joint exercises with foreign forces.Soldiers of the first division of the Thai Marines held a welcome ceremony for the visiting Chinese marines at the airport and presented them with traditional Thai floral garlands.

Gao Dong, a commanding officer of the Chinese side, said that the participating Chinese troops have brought with them light weapons, underwater combat equipment, plus amphibious reconnaissance and anti-terror apparatus.In the next two weeks, troops of the two countries will carry out various activities such as skill demonstrations, mixed training, comprehensive exercises, joint research and exchanges, said Gao.The military maneuver will formally kick off at Sattahip Naval Base on the eastern Thai coast on Thursday.

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Thailand to Upgrade 18 F-16A/B Block 15 Aircraft with Mid-Life Upgrade

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Sept. 29 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Thailand of a three-phased program to upgrade 18 F-16A/B Block 15 aircraft with the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) and associated parts, equipment, and logistical support for a complete package worth approximately $700 million.The Government of Thailand has requested a possible sale of a three-phased program to upgrade 18 F-16A/B Block 15 aircraft with the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU).

Each phase will upgrade six aircraft over a three-year period, with each phase overlapping by one year. The MLU with Modular Mission Computer includes APG-68(V)9 Radar, APX-113 Combined Interrogator and Transponder, ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management System, ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser System, spare and repair parts, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $700 million.

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Singapore's Navy and Thai Navy Participate in Naval Exercise "Singsiam"

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) are participating in a bilateral naval exercise, code-named Singsiam from 20 to 29 Sep 2010. The opening ceremony was officiated by Colonel Giam Hock Koon, Commanding Officer of the RSN's 185 Squadron, and the Chief of Staff Frigate Squadron 2 of the RTN, Captain Kosit Cheamsuphakit, at Changi Naval Base yesterday.

Hosted by the RSN, this year's exercise started with a shore phase at Changi Naval Base and a sea phase that will be conducted in the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. The RSN is participating in the exercise with frigate RSS Steadfast, missile corvette RSS Valour and patrol vessel RSS Resilience. The RTN is represented by helicopter carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet for the first time, frigate HTMS Taksin and three S-70B naval helicopters.

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