On September 9, 2019, the Thai Royal Navy agreed on a deal to buy a Type 071E landing platform dock (LPD) manufactured by China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. This ship is expected to cost USD 200 million over a reported period of 3 years and is a variant of a ship currently used by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). While Thailand has recently conducted joint military exercises with China, the Southeast Asian country is also a traditional ally of the United States, designated a Major non-NATO ally (MNNA) in 2003. This is reportedly the first time that China has exported this type of vessel to any country.
