US firm to upgrade surveillance capabilities of Thai military

On April 30 Business Wire Reported that the Royal Thai Army

agreed to purchase certain intelligence and surveillance equipment from Aria for an aggregate purchase price of $9.7 million. Aria will also provide the RTA with certain ancillary services including installation, training and the construction of an airship hangar. A condition of the contract requires the Company to configure equipment in the U.S. and integrate and deliver the hardware in Thailand and the terms of the contract require delivery within 120-days of contract award. . . .

The RTA system is composed of select airborne assets, imagery capability from high-definition cameras and down linked communication facilities to a mobile command platform that are targeted to meet the requirements for this special procurement. Under this contract, Aria is responsible for integrating all system components and delivering a complete turn-key solution, conducting initial operations and continuing maintenance tasks as well as providing the training to the RTA personnel on the equipment.

The RTA surveillance system consists of a manned airship with special state-of-the art imaging and communications systems, a state-of-the-art Mobile Command and Control Vehicle, and upgrades to existing communications and facilities to receive real-time surveillance data. Aria staff will train Royal Thai Army personnel to pilot, effectively utilize and maintain the deployed surveillance and communications systems. In addition to the cameras on the airship, Aria will also install and integrate high-definition day/night camera systems on select Royal Thai Army helicopters. President of Aria International, Mr. Mike “Bing” Crosby, stated: “the employment of a manned airship and upgraded helicopters equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communications systems, provides the Royal Thai Army another system with the necessary capabilities it requires to counter the increased activity and threats of crime, drug trafficking and terrorism.”

“The deployment of these new systems and services by Aria International Incorporated will make a significant impact on the capabilities of our deployed forces in the South of Thailand,” Major General Chawalit Srisilpanandana, Director General Directorate of Logistics Department stated. “The RTA is contracting with Aria for these services because of their unique experience and ability to integrate into the mission of our forces; we look forward to a very long and successful relationship.”

This purchase raises some questions:

• Will the airship and helicopters be based in the South, or will the equipment be used in Bangkok? In the absence of any investigation into the military crack-down of early April, censorship, and fragility of Thai democracy in the wake of the 2006 coup, should US companies be permitted to sell Thailand advanced surveyance equipment?
• The dollar value of the contract sounds rather modest. Is $9.7 million the final bill, or just the first installment?
• The contract appears to be the first of its size awarded to Aria International Holdings, Inc. Aria is described as "a development-stage company" formed in July of 2008. According to Reuters, "The key principals [of Aria] have direct experience and operational expertise in surveillance andcommunications systems and previously worked on projects with the US MarineCorps, the United Arab Emirates Air Force, Kuwait Ministry of Interior, the Royal Thai Army, Air Force and Marines, and the Indian Ministry of Interior." In 2009 Aria International Incorporated became a wholly-owned subsidiary of TriCordHurricane Holdings, Inc. -- a company founded in 2006 that had been focused on developing a new kind of storm roofing. TriCord's name was changed to Aria following the merger.

Update

I see that the deal was reported in the Thai press on March 27. According to the account in the Thai press, the airship hanger is apparently not included in the initial contract price.

Hat-tip: David Higgs.