러시아가 태국에 계속 러브콜을 보내고 있습니다. 얼마전 5억 달러에 12대의 SU-30을 판다는 소문이 있었는데 태국 총리가 부인하고 나섰습니다. 하지만 계속 협상이 진행중이라는 얘기가 나오고 있는데, SU-30 을 구매하면 MI-17 4대를 아주 저렴한 가격이나 무료로 공급할 수 있다는 얘기까지 나왔습니다. 태국은 유지보수할 돈이 없어서 286대의 헬기중 절반정도가 날아다니지 못하는 형편이라고 합니다. 대형 헬기라고 해도 과연 4대로 얼마만큼의 효용성이 있을지 의문스럽지만, 없는 살림에 공짜로 준다는데 귀가 솔깃하기는 하겠네요. 러시아는 남아시아의 무기수출을 활성화하기 위하여 태국에 무기와 정비공장을 계획하고 있다네요. 태국에 저런 러브콜을 보내는 이유가 뭘까요? " http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/25Dec2005_news12.php " Russia offers copters for SU-30 deal Large-size MI-17 matches army's needs By Wassana Nanuam The army, with only half of its helicopters still functioning, may refill its stock with Russian-made helicopters that will be offered at a special discount if the government, as expected, agrees to buy Russia's SU-30 jet fighters, a military source said. The Royal Thai Army source, who asked not to be named, said Russia might sell its four MI-17 helicopters at a special price or even ``give them free'' if the government goes ahead with its plan to procure the SU-30s, which have become a source of major controversy as the opposition has accused the government of hiding the details of the deal from the public. Former army commander-in-chief Gen Prawit Wongsuwan reportedly visited Russia in the middle of this year to see the MI-17s himself, said the source. Moscow is keen on building a centre for aircraft spare parts and maintenance in Thailand in a bid to increase its arms exports to Southeast Asia. ``We are badly in need of helicopters because currently only 50% of our helicopters are airworthy. We want more because they are necessary,'' especially for missions in the restive far South, said army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin. The MI-17 is an efficient large-size helicopter that matches the army's needs, he said. Around half of the 286 helicopters have been grounded due to a lack of budget for maintenance, the source said. Gen Sonthi said the army has already asked the government for a budget for its nine-year army development scheme, which will include plans to repair and buy new helicopters. The scheme will unfold next year. ``We have to be very careful on any arms deals because they could also affect friendly relations between Thailand and the US, our main arms supplier,'' said a general responsible for the army's logistics.