DTI Thailand Delivers CS/AH2 105mm Light Artillery Projectile Prototype to the Royal Thai Army

01 Mei 2024

DTI Thailand delivered two prototypes of 105mm light howitzer CS/AH2 to Artillery Battalion, Artillery Center, Royal Thai Army (RTA) at Bhumibol Camp in Lopburi Province, Thailand, in April 2024 (all photos: DTI Thailand)

The prototype 105mm CS/AH2 light artillery projectile is a joint research and development project between the National Defense Technology Institute (DTI) and the Artillery Center, Royal Thai Army. After passing the shooting test and shooting demonstration over the past year 2023 at Khao Phu Lon Artillery Shooting Range, Artillery Center, two prototypes CS/AH2 105mm guns have been delivered to the Artillery Battalion, Artillery Center, which is the "Instructor Gun Battalion", a training unit of the Artillery soldiers, Royal Thai Army, DTI posted on its official Facebook account on 24 April 2024.

DTI Thailand has announced a contract with POLY TECHNOLOGIES, INC., People's Republic of China, for the joint research and development project to build a prototype 105mm light artillery projectile, CS/AH2 type, Phase 1, budget of 48,000,000 baht ($1,439,712) in September 2021. Later, Thai DTI and the Artillery Center of the Royal Thai Army signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on March 15, 2023, leading to the creation of prototypes and firing tests and finally delivering them to the trial unit.

The CS/AH2 is a light cannon developed for export by POLY DEFENSE, a state defense industry enterprise of the People's Republic of China (a separate company from Norinco, another Chinese state defense industry enterprise that has a similar 105mm light cannon product).

From the set of images published until now the prototype of DTI's CS/AH2 105mm light cannon is similar to the BAE Systems M119 (L119) light cannon, assembled in Thailand, totaling 22 guns entering service with the Royal Thai Army since the year 2006.

The prototype CS/AH2 105mm was also found to be equipped with a display on the gun which is similar to the 105mm type 1 NEXTER LG1 Mk III towed light cannon, 12 guns entering service in 2023. This makes it possible to consider that the CS/AH2 105mm light cannon should have a digital fire control system and a satellite coordinate system. The soil temperature measurement system drives the air current bullet. and linking with the Forward Observation Officer (FOO) as well.

At present, the Royal Thai Army has light artillery M119, stationed in the 31st Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Division, King's Guard and the LG1 Mk III light artillery projectile, stationed in the 11th Artillery Battalion. 1st Artillery Regiment, King's Guard, 1st Division, King's Guard (11th Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Division, King's Guard.

It is understood that the Thai Army still needs new 105mm light artillery to replace a large number of old systems that have been in use for a long time and are outdated, such as 12 M425 rubber-wheeled self-propelled artillery light cannons and towed light artillery, M618A2 32 guns built in Thailand, etc. 

(AAG)

from DEFENSE STUDIES https://bit.ly/3WhDeaL
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