Army Lags in Deploying Drones Along Thai-Myanmar Border

[webfact]

 

The Thai army is noticeably lagging in its deployment of drones along the Thai-Myanmar border, House Armed Services Committee Chair and Move Forward MP, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, announced yesterday.

 

During a critical briefing on June 13th, Wiroj expressed concerns that the army's drone capability is falling behind in confronting modern-day threats in Thailand’s western border areas. Highlighting the urgency, he noted that while the army plans to procure an additional fleet of 10 drones for fiscal 2025, this number is insufficient to counteract current security threats.

 

Wiroj pointed out that both Myanmar’s Tatmadaw troops and various armed ethnic groups operating in the region already employ advanced drone technology. These include attack drones armed with missiles and surveillance drones, posing significant challenges to Thai security forces, who currently rely solely on surveillance drones.

 

Expressing frustration, Wiroj stated, "The Thai army does not possess any attack drones and faces immense difficulties due to the variety of drones it uses from different countries, such as Israel, Turkey, and China, which complicates tactical coordination during field missions."

 

Moreover, Wiroj revealed that drug and human traffickers in the border areas are increasingly using drones to locate authorities, further complicating the security situation. 

 

Equally troubling is the lack of anti-drone weapons within the army’s current arsenal. This shortage leaves gaps in the army's capability to neutralize hostile drones, hence increasing their vulnerability.

 

In addition, Wiroj mentioned funding concerns, noting that the 40 million baht allocated for repairing the army's wheeled personnel carriers in fiscal 2025 is grossly inadequate. These rough-terrain combat vehicles are crucial for maintaining security along the expansive 2,400-kilometre Thai-Myanmar border.

 

Wiroj's revelations paint a troubling picture of the Thai army’s preparedness and highlight the growing need for technological enhancement and funding to address evolving security challenges in the region.

 

Picture courtesy: RTA via Defense Studies

 

-- 2024-06-14

 

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[watchcat]

Of course you spent all the money on  submarines without engines,  now yo have to play with this toy and stop whining.

[2baht]

Maybe they could be deployed to Phuket to clean up the Russian insurgency!

[john donson]

wow that is a big drone, no bombs?

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

During a critical briefing on June 13th, Wiroj expressed concerns that the army's drone capability is falling behind in confronting modern-day threats in Thailand’s western border areas. Highlighting the urgency, he noted that while the army plans to procure an additional fleet of 10 drones for fiscal 2025, this number is insufficient to counteract current security threats

If only the scrapped the sub order...

[hotchilli]

9 minutes ago, john donson said:

wow that is a big drone, no bombs?

For show only.... never in combat.

[malathione]

24 minutes ago, john donson said:

wow that is a big drone, no bombs?

It can carry up to 4 missiles. No idea whether the Thai version is armed. Hermes H450.

[Enoon]

3 hours ago, john donson said:

wow that is a big drone, no bombs?

 

It's classed as medium.

 

The RQ4 Global Hawk is big:

 

 

[NedR69]

4 hours ago, john donson said:

wow that is a big drone, no bombs?

It looks small to me...the Global Hawk drone carries missiles almost the size of that Thai drone....I thought it was some kind of hobbyist drone.  

[Purdey]

If they are for observation only (Thailand would never attack its mates in Myanmar) the ordinary consumer drones work fine for patrolling the border. Perhaps infrared cameras for night patrols but for daytime, anything with a good battery.

[sherwood]

8 hours ago, john donson said:

wow that is a big drone, no bombs?

No one smart enough to fly them remotely???

Or no insensitive to even care?

TiT

[cowellandrew]

Bring back the dirigible

[Andycoops]

The army are only interested in having toys to play with.

There is no comprehensive strategy in anything they do as highlighted by using 3 different types of drones, from 3 different countries increasing the costs of deployment, maintenance and upgrades.

 

No joined up thinking can come from Muppets who attend a Thai military academy.

And as recently reported charges recruits for pumping out the septic tank they use. Neanderthal at best.