Last month, the United States offered to sell to Thailand many second-hand equipment, according to the report, but not to the Philippines. As a major non-NATO ally of the US, Thailand can benefit from this kind of military deal, asserted the report. The thing is the
THREE possible reasons (add yours if you can think of other reasons):
Philippines also was conferred major non-NATO ally status by the US during George W Bush visit before he left office or sometime in 2008, so why wasn't the Philippines offered the deal first or at the very least, was not offered the deal too?
THREE possible reasons (add yours if you can think of other reasons):
(1) US believes that its presence in the country is enough deterrence and so believes that Philippines does not require further beefing up of its defences -- which I honestly think cannot be US reason; frankly, US presence in PH is not good enough deterrence. Realistically, the Philippines is hardly equipped to protect itself from incursions by hostile or even not-so-hostile intruders despite America's defence umbrella hovering over the archipelago.
(2) Philippine defence budget is not big enough, hence it is safe to say that the US equipment being offered are still expensive by PH procurement standard
(3) But I do think that one of the real reasons -- and it makes sense, is that US wants to get Thailand on side in the brewing mano-a-mano with China; the US needs to pool all its allies in the region under its defence umbrella so what better way than to entice a good, defence-knowledgeable client like Thailand to buy all of US second-hand equipment?
Just the same, I am not pleased that Pinas was not America's first choice as dumping ground of said US second-hand defence materiel :-( And to think that a couple of weeks ago, I was suggesting in a post that PH inquire about the soon-to-be-decommissioned Oliver Hazard Perry frigates with a view to making an offer to purchase.
By Anne de Bretagne
For the Defenders of Philippine Sabah and Spratly Claims
15 Nov 2012
Link to Bangkok Post article: US offers cheap planes, warships [to Thailand]
In photo: USS KAUFFMAN is the 28th "long hull" - version in the OLIVER HAZARD PERRY class and she is one of the last frigates the Navy built in the 20th century.
Commissioned 28 February 1987, KAUFFMAN's mission is to escort and protect Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Groups. KAUFFMAN is one of only twelve Frigates with the enhanced MK 92 MOD 6 CORT Fire Control System which, when combined with the ship's two helicopters, 76mm gun, and state of the art anti-submarine warfare system, provides KAUFFMAN an effective offensive and defensive capability in today's multi-threat environment.
KAUFFMAN has a crew of approximately 250 personnel. This relatively small crew size results in a close knit team that relies heavily on the technical skills and leadership abilities of each and every Sailor while providing ample opportunities for professional and personal growth.
For more information about USS Kauffman click on the history and general characteristics links.
KAUFFMAN always in the lead: Shipmates, Mission, Success.
Link: http://www.public.navy.mil/surflant/ffg59/Pages/AboutUs.aspxUS offers cheap planes, warships
The United States has offered to sell Thailand second hand military equipment ranging from helicopters to frigates at a special price, a Defence Ministry source said on Friday.The US Defence Department made the offer in talks last week in Washington between permanent secretary for defence Gen Thanongsak Apirakyothin and US Defence Assistant Secretary Marc Lippert.
Thailand is eligible for the sales as a non-Nato ally of the US, the source added.
The offer includes 1,150 humvees used in military operations in Iraq, three Black Hawk helicopters for the army, two Perry Class frigates for the navy and five F-16 jet fighters.
"The discussion did not go into details. The offer is amicable,'' the source said.
Thailand and the US will mark 180 years of bilateral relations next year.
The arms sale are expected to be further discussed when US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta comes to Thailand for talks with Defence Minister ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat and armed forces chiefs. Mr Panetta will be in Southeast Asian for the Asean Summit on Nov 15-16 in Phnom Penh.rces
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