Since the procurement will be carried out under the confidential military budget, government spokespeople were not allowed to announce the approval. The source said the procurement would be spread over three budget years.
The Defence Ministry said two helicopters would be used for map surveys and other missions. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra suggested the Defence Ministry should also allow the Natural Resources and Environment and Agriculture ministries to use the helicopters for missions some times, and Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat agreed.