Thailand

The kingdom's 2013 defense budget rose to US$5.7 billion, a 7% increase from the year before. Increased spending in recent years has allowed an already capable military to modernize and add new weapon systems to its inventory. The website Global Firepower actually ranks Thailand as the 20th most powerful military in the world. Swedish company Saab has made giant inroads...

Israel's Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) producer Aeronautics announced today the award of a contract worth $27 million from an Asian government to supply Dominator XP Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) UAS.

With the world’s largest armies (except China and India) have ceased procurement of Main Battle Tanks (MBT), third world countries are becoming more dominant customers for this weapon category. Ukraine T-84, Russian T-90 and Chinese MBT2000 are all in production while western tanks are sold second hand to Asian armies at bargain price

black_widow_spider_afvThe Defence Technology Institute (DTI) – the Thai ministry of defence’s research and development agency – today announced that it will partner with UK automotive designer company Ricardo on the next phase of development of its Black Widow Spider 8x8 armoured vehicle programme, developed in support of the Royal Thai Army. The vehicle has been designed by DTi over...

Above: Wasp Launch. Photo: AeroVironment Sweden and Denmark both selected the PUMA AE for Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (TAC-UAS) to support their deployed forces in Afghanistan. The two defense ministries awarded the U.S. company AeroVironment (AV) two firm fixed-price orders, Denmark awarded $9.6 million through the Danish Acquisition and Logistics Organization. The value of the Swedish contract has not been released but...

As the Islamic State continues its armed campaign in Iraq and Syria, its ideology is drawing fans and fighters from as far as Southern Asia and China. While the attack in Australia drew the world attention to the threat from 'lone wolf' attacks by ISIS volunteers returning home, elsewhere in Asia insurgency is more organized - four new terrorist organizations are already aiming to establish an Islamic Caliphate in the Far East region called Daulah Islamiah Nusantara that is to comprise Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, southern Thailand and southern Philippines.

US Secretary of Defense said that the proposed realignment would result in a 60/40 split of US naval forces between the Pacific and the Atlantic by 2020, an increase in Pacific-deployed forces of about 10 percent

A new version of Elbit Systems’ Autonomous Truck Mounted howitzer System (ATMOS) 155 mm/39-calibre SP artillery system was developed for the Royal Thai Army (RTA), in cooperation with Thailand's military industrial complex. A first unit comprising six CAESAR 155mm/52 caliber guns is currently in service. The ATMOS platform is designed to operate the 155mm/52 caliber tube, but in Thailand...

The Government of Thailand has reportedly ordered four EC725 helicopters for Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. The €100 million deal was announced by Thai deputy prime minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa on 29 August, quoted by the French media.

The Russian arms conglomerate "Kalashnikov" has partnered with distributors in Malaysia and Thailand as part of the group expansion into the Asia-Pacific region. Expansion into Asia-Pacific, Africa and Latin America will help neutralise the the negative impact of the US imposed sanctions

Thailand has traditionally turned to Asian countries as well to expand its naval fleet. In April 2012, the RTN received HTMS Ang Thong, a landing platform dock (LPD) vessels, similar to Singapore's Endurance class LPDs. Built by ST Marine in Singapore, Thailand's first LPD is sure to find practical use for any disaster relief missions around the region. More recently,...

Organizers of Defense & Security 2013 in Bangkok tout the event as the fastest-growing military exhibition in the region. The tri-service show started off as a small event in 2003, so this year marks its 10th anniversary. This year, more than 400 manufacturers from 50 countries have booked booths to present their wares in the Kingdom's capital from 4-7...

Other Regional Defense Updates: Afghanistan | Australia | Brunei | Bangladesh | China | India | Indonesia | Japan | Malaysia | Myanmar | North Korea | Pakistan | Philippines | Singapore | South Korea | Sri-Lanka | Taiwan | Thailand | Vietnam.

For events taking place Before October 2013 - Click Here  GEOINT 2013 October 10-13, 2013 - Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL. USA  Unmanned Vehicles Israel Defense (UVID) October 10, 2013 - Avenue Convention Center, Airport City, Israel  AUSA 2013 October 21-23, 2013 - Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC Marine Week October 23-26, 2013 - Busan, Republic of Korea  ADEX 2013 - Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Expo October 29 -...