Page 18 - Defense & Security 2023 - Day 1

Thailand Looking to Diversify Defence Procurement

Thailand is diversifying its military procure- HTMS Chang in April this year, which is a out to ranges of 100 km.
ment choices for the modernisation of its Type 071E landing platform dock (LPD)
armed forces. It has traditionally depended manufactured by China State Shipbuilding Thailand is also the first export customer
on the USA for military equipment; however, Corp. Thailand is the first export customer for the VT-4 main battle tank (MBT) made
China and South Korea are emerging as for the Chinese built LPD, which has a dis- by China North Industries Corporation
Thailand’s preferred choices for defence placement of over 20,000 tonnes and can (Norinco). The Royal Thai Army (RTA) had
equipment. Sweden, which has provided reach a top speed of 25 knots. The HTMS placed orders for 28 VT-4s in 2016, with
Thailand with fighter aircraft and airborne Chang was originally purchased as part of orders for additional 10 placed in 2017.
early warning platforms, is expected to the RTN’s 20-year plan to commission four The new Chinese built MBTs are replacing,
continue to remain an important strategic large amphibious vessels for various oper- the RTA’s U.S. origin M41 MBTs. The VT-4
partner. ations by 2036. The new LPD which is 213 MBT can fire armor piercing fin stabilized
meters long and 28 meters wide can deploy discarding sabot (APFSDS), high explosive
Emerging Defence Partner eight amphibious vehicles or 11 wheeled anti-tank cartridge (HEAT) and fragmen-

Chinese arms exports to Thailand spiked armored vehicles. However, Thailand’s 2017 tation-blast shells, with an armor-piercing
four-fold between 2014 and 2018 and is deal to procure three Chinese Yuan Class capacity of 700mm. It can also fire a new
S26T submarines at a cost of approximate-
likely to continue to grow at an accelerated ly 26 billion baht ($996 million) has run Chinese armor-piercing shells, which can
pace till the end of this decade. In August aground due to China’s inability to procure penetrate up to 1,000 mm of armour. The
2022, Thailand based Aero Technology the German engines needed to power these VT-4 made its debut in 2014 and in addition
Industry Limited (ATIL) showcased un- submarines. The RTN is now eyeing the to Thailand, has gained export orders from
manned aerial systems (UAS). Together procurement of a naval Frigate instead of Nigeria, and Pakistan.
with its Chinese partners, ATIL has worked these submarines. Growing Partnership
closely with Thailand’s Defence R&D agency, South Korea has made a name for itself
the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) and The Royal Thai Navy (RTN), at the beginning in recent years through the eye-catch-
the Royal Thai Army (RTA) to conceive three
different drone systems to meet the future of the year, showcased its new Chinesemade ing growth of its defence industry. South
FK-3 surface to air missile (SAM) system Korean defence companies have sold
needs of the Thai armed forces. The DP16, manufactured by China Aerospace Science defence equipment worth approximately
DP20 and DP20-A drone systems which and Industry Corporation Limited (CASIC). US$2 billion to Southeast Asian countries
are essentially of Chinese origin are being The FK-3, is the export variant of the HQ-22 from 2017 to 2021. The Korea Aerospace
configured to meet Thai needs. medium- to long-range semi-active radar Industries (KAI) FA-50 has conquered ma-
homing/radio command guidance air-de- jor ASEAN markets such as Indonesia, the
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) commissioned fence system and can engage aerial targets Philippines, and Thailand along with the
recent export of the FA-50M to Malaysia.
Thailand has ordered 14 FA-50s for the
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). According
to SIPRI, South Korea accounted for 33
percent of Thailand’s total arms imports in
the 2018-2022 period. In 2022, the South
Korea and the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) announced a new
programme, the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity
Initiative, which encompasses initiatives for
defence cooperation, including maritime,
cyber and defence-industrial cooperation.
18 NOVEMBER-06-2023 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/DAILY NEWS