Royal Thai Army signs VN1 pact with ChinaListen to this articleThe army has signed a deal to buy additional VN1 wheeled armoured vehicles from China. (Photo: China Defence)The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has moved to strengthen its combat capabilities by signing a procurement agreement worth about 1 billion baht for additional VN1 wheeled armoured vehicles from China under the 2025 fiscal year defence budget. Lt Gen Natthaporn Khwan-yam, chief of the Army Ordnance Department, held talks with Liu Jinkui, senior vice-president of China North Industries Corporation (Norinco), before jointly presiding over the signing of the agreement between the Thai and Chinese governments. The contract covers the procurement of additional VN1 8×8 armoured personnel carriers, completing the army's planned acquisition programme under the current budget cycle, reports say. The RTA says the acquisition is part of its long-term modernisation plan rather than a response to any incident.
