Thailand to procure Kalashnikov AK-201 assault rifles for paramilitary unit

The AK-201 rifle. Photo c/o Kalashnikov Concern.

The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) announced that it is planning to acquire 500 units of the Kalashnikov AK-201 5.56mm rifles from Russia.

The rifles will be equipping the Paramilitary Marine Regiment assigned with the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC) Eastern Area Task Force.

The RTN has allocated a budget of THB45 million (US$1.4 million) for the acquisition of the AK-201 5.56x45mm rifles, or an average of THB90,000 per unit. The rifles will be supplied by a local company, H&P Milspec Company Ltd.

The AK-201 5.56x45mm rifle is part of the AK-200 series rifle family from Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern, and is an improvement over the AK-100 series rifles which is itself derived from the AK-74 assault rifle used by the Russian military. 

Most improvements are on the accessories and mounting systems which include Picatinny rails, adjustable buttstock, a new pistol grip and new flash hider.

Thailand’s Paramilitary units, called the Thahan Phran are auxiliary units of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) and RTMC and is involved in border patrols and counter insurgency operations.


[1] AAG_TH Journal Thai Defence Page
[2] GlobalSecurity