Final six of 49 Ukraine battle tanks delivered to Thai army

The final six of the Oplot T84 battle tanks delivered to the Royal Thai Army, finally filling the 2011 7.2 billion baht order for a battalion of 49.(Photo supplied)

The Royal Thai Army has finally taken delivery of the last six of the 49 Oplot T84 main battle tanks ordered from Ukraine in 2011 at a cost of US$240 million (about 7.2 billion baht).

A source at the army said the final batch was handed over to the army on July 29. They were now with the 2nd Infantry Division in Prachin Buri. Test runs would begin early next month.

An army delegation had examined the final consigment of tanks in Ukraine in April, the source said. The 1st Army chief, Lt Gen Kukiat Srinaka, also inspected them.

All 49 tanks were initially set for delivery to Thailand by 2015, but were delayed by internal fighting in Ukraine.