Page 15 - ADT NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 Online Magazine

SHIFTING EQUATIONS

The U.S. has lost ground and China is making inroads into the market, but it
is South Korea that has emerged as the favorite arms exporter for countries

such as Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia

By ARUN SIVASANKARAN

n March this year, the United States turned down Thailand’s joint military drills, and military training. Each
request for Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets to replace its year, the two countries co-host Cobra Gold,
ageing F-5 and F-16 fighters. The country had set aside 13.8 the region’s largest and longest-running mul-
billion baht (US$407.68 million) and was planning to buy up tinational military exercise. Apart from service
I to eight jets of the type, two initially. members from the two countries, Cobra Gold 23
involved Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia
In place of the F-35s, Washington offered F-16 Block 70 and F-15 and South Korea. The relationship is of crucial
Eagle fighters, but Thailand is instead planning to buy three Gripen importance for the Southeast Asian country as
fighter jets from Saab. While training and technical requirements as well, as the U.S. is its largest export market as
well as maintenance compatibility were the reasons cited for turning well as its third-largest source of FDI.
down Thailand’s request for the fifth-generation stealth jets, the U.S.
decision must be seen in the context of the Southeast Asian coun- Warming Up to China
try’s growing military ties to China. Earlier this year, Bangkok had to
deploy the JAS-39 Gripen in “Falcon Strike” joint air force exercises Even as it keeps its military ties with Washington
involving China and Thailand after the U.S. had asked it to ensure intact, Thailand has shown that it is not willing
that no American fighter jet is used in the drills. to back away from expanding its relationship
with China. From July to September this year,
The U.S. has not ruled out the F-35 deal completely, but analysts the two countries held joint military exercises
say that is more because Washington, despite a cool off in ties involving their air forces, navies and armies.
following Thailand’s coup d’états of 2006 and 2014, is keen to safe- Falcon Strike, an annual drill involving the air
guard its existing ties with Bangkok that involves weapons sales, forces of the two countries, commenced in 2015
ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 | 15