You're reading: Ukrainian BTR-3E1s demonstrate might at Singapore-Thailand exercises

The government of Thailand is satisfied with bilateral military and technical cooperation with Ukraine as well as the armored vehicles delivered by the Ukrainian side to the army of Thailand.

According to Thai media, Ukrainian BTR-3E1 armored personnel carriers demonstrated excellent results during the 14th annual military exercises of Thailand and Singapore on March 20 – April 5, 2012.

The sides worked on the principles of cooperation between motorized infantry during the exercises. The exercises finished with tests of various types of weapon systems. During a competition between eight vehicles from each side, the Ukrainian BRT-3E1 vehicles out-performed Singaporean Terrex armored personnel carriers.

During the ceremony to close the exercises, Prime Minister of Thailand Yingluck Shinawatra said, "we are satisfied with the cooperation with Ukroboronprom and in general with Ukraine, which is one of the leading producers of armored equipment."

According to the premier, her country "is proud of the powerful and reliable BTR-3E1, produced by Ukraine."

As reported, the amount of contracts for the supply of armed vehicles, particularly Oplot main battle tanks and BTR-3E1 armored personnel carriers, to Thailand, which were signed in 2006-2011 and are currently being implemented, exceeds $500 million.

According to open sources, Thailand’s defense budget for 2012 is estimated by $5.5 billion (1.4% of GDP). In 2013 Thailand is planning to increase expenditures on defense by 10%.