BANGKOK: The Thai military government has outlined a commitment to accelerate the development of the domestic defence industrial base in 2017 through partnerships with military suppliers and other activities. The new focus is expected to have implications for exporters contracted to supply materiel to Thailand through both industry-to-government and government-to-government deals.
In comments published by the government’s public relations bureau, Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr said in a recent seminar in Bangkok that the Thai Ministry of Defence (MoD) would in 2017 seek to expand collaboration with foreign partners in setting up military industrial facilities in the country. These facilities, he said, would be geared towards manufacturing military products – components and platforms – and also provide support for existing systems through the provision of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services.
