The 105 mm CS/AH2 howitzer (pictured above) is similar in all aspects to the BAE Systems L118/L119 (105 mm) light howitzer. The gun is produced by Poly Technologies, with likely involvement from Norinco. (Poly Technologies Inc)

Thailand's Defense Technology Institute (DTI) and the Artillery Center of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) have test-fired five artillery rounds from a prototype of the 105 mm CS/AH2 light howitzer, the DTI said in a social media post in late September.

The tests, according to the DTI, were conducted at the Khao Phu Lon Artillery Shooting Range in Lopburi province and included three rounds of uphill firing at 1.5 km and two shots of lowland firing at 11.4 km.

The tests were “successful and the CS/AH2 prototype fired projectiles accurately in both [uphill and lowland] missions,” the DTI said.

The DTI allocated THB48 million (USD1.3 million) in September 2021 to develop a CS/AH2 prototype indigenously with technology transfer from Chinese defence company Poly Technologies.

In March 2023 the DTI signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Artillery Center to research and develop the CS/AH2 prototype.

The DTI has not responded to Janes

Ten Leopard 2A5 tanks donated by Sweden are in place in Ukraine, with Ukrainian crews trained in Sweden (pictured). (Swedish Armed Forces)

The M1A1 Abrams tanks donated by the US and Leopard 2 tanks donated by Sweden have arrived in Ukraine.

“Abrams are already in Ukraine and are preparing to reinforce our brigades,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X, formerly Twitter, on 25 September. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told journalists in Washington later the same day that the first batch of Abrams had arrived in Ukraine, without disclosing their numbers or movements. The US is donating 31 M1A1 tanks to Ukraine, along with 120 mm depleted uranium ammunition.

The Swedish Armed Forces announced on their website on 21 September that 10 Stridsvagn 122s, Sweden's designation of its upgraded Leopard 2A5, are in place in Ukraine, with crews trained in Sweden.

Janes has verified videos posted online showing two Stridsvagn 122s being hit by Russian loitering munitions.

Romania intends to acquire 48 F-35s to be operated across three squadrons. (USAF)

Romania has firmed up its procurement plan for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), disclosing that it intends to acquire 48 aircraft across two acquisition tranches.

The Romanian Ministry of National Defence (MND) informed the country's parliament of its Foreign Military Sales (FMS) plan in a letter that was sent on 4 August and published on 26 September.

In the letter, the MND outlined a short-term Phase 1 acquisition of two squadrons of 32 jets, to be followed some years later with a Phase 2 buy of one squadron of 16 jets.

“Regarding the concept of achieving the operational capability with a fifth-generation multirole aircraft … we request the parliament for approval for the initiation of awarding agreements related to the purchase of [an initial] 32 F-35 aircraft,” the MND said.