Thai Military Mulls Purchase of Chinese Rocket Systems

The Royal Thai Army is considering the purchase of two new types of multiple rocket launcher systems from China, according to the Canada-based Kanwa Defense Weekly.

Kanwa said Thailand is likely to import WS-1B and WS-32 launchers from China, which will be renamed the DTI-1 and the DTI-1G respectively. The striking range of the two systems are 180 and 150km respectively.

In addition to the rocket systems, Thailand has also signed a contract with China to connect its DTI-1G with the Beidou Navigation System, according to the report. The satellite system can ensure an accuracy to within 50 meters of their target.

Thailand originally planned to assemble six DTI-1G multiple rocket launchers domestically under license from Beijing. Now, the Royal Thai Army has decided to introduce one DTI-1 directly from China and assemble another domestically. The number of DTI-1Gs on hand will drop to three.