Thai ministry urges support for producers of military gear

[webfact]

MILITARY
Ministry urges support for producers of military gear
THE NATION


The locally manufactured Black Widow Spider armoured personnel carrier, developed by the Defence Technology Institute, is seen on display at the Defence & Security 2015 trade fair at Impact Arena yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- THE Defence Ministry is seeking support from the private sector to locally produce or assemble military equipment, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday.

He said that although the ministry has limited capability and budget, the plan to produce or assemble arms and military equipment locally would have more prospects next year if funding and support is available from the private sector.

Speaking yesterday at the Defence and Security 2015 trade fair at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, Prawit said the Defence Ministry had asked the Army, the Navy and the Air Force to buy locally-made products but the problem was that those products are more expensive because the producers cannot mass produce due to fast-changing technology.

The trade fair was attended by more than 300 foreign producers of military equipment, weapons and technology for the Army, the Navy and Air Force.

The event showcased modern military equipment and weapons, missiles, tanks, vehicles, satellite communication system, electronics and software systems, fire prevention system, disaster warning system, CCTV system and anti-riot equipment.

He said the ministry needed cooperation from foreign countries such as Ukraine to locally assemble armoured personnel carriers.

He said Ukraine's defence minister would honour Thailand's procurement contract for Oplot tanks but delivery of the tanks was delayed due to internal strife in the country. He said Ukraine would hand over five tanks this year.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Ministry-urges-support-for-producers-of-military-g-30272154.html

-- The Nation 2015-11-03

[ratcatcher]

More toys for the boys?

[arthurboy]

This will be interesting.

Wonder who the manufacturers are, their money backers, main share holders and military advisors?

More budget, anyone?

[NongKhaiKid]

More toys for the boys?

I wonder if the boys prefer their toys to be bought overseas ?

More expensive would mean more ' commission ' and there's a much greater chance of reliability, certain projected naval purchases not withstanding.

[exbikey]

So which pick-up is the Black Widow Spider based on? I can't recall seeing any 4 axle p/u's around. Paint it white, or black, and stick some 'Fortooner' badges on it and it will be a best seller.

[jcisco]

Wonder what technology is changing so quickly they cannot keep up. If a maker installs a line of presses or a paint shop, not exactly at any risk of tech leaving it behind any time ever. Suspicions to what they may of meant lean towards materials, or simply lack of a market for the cost of tooling.

Seriously if Thailand cannot find or does not have locally the actual tools necessary to make the equipment they wish to fight a war with, I'd hope they get Loads of extras and spares and hope alliances don't shift cutting them off.

Kinda lost focus on getting out of middle income category haven't they, and this is the army. Can't get to the hit the next level in their own local supply chain, failure to lead by example and develop industry capability and technology development. Seems like bottom line is they don't want to be next level as it isn't profitable. Oops

[jerojero]

Why would Thai produced products be more expensive than those manufactured in the West? Sorry, not west but China that beats the heck out of Thai manufacturers!

[Srikcir]

Does this government have no honor?

Recall that last year Prayut signed a trade and security agreement with Putin while slamming the EU for not understanding his coup d'etat. He then agreed to export to Russia foods and rubber that Putin had banned from the EU in retaliation to EU's condemnation of Putin's invastion of the Crimea and threatened to shutoff Russian gas to the UK. Essentially Prayut's exports to Russia are being used to shield the Russians from Putin's ban.

Now while Ukraine is fighting against a pro-Russian insurgency, Prayut wants to produce military equipment for Ukraine?

On the flip side Ukraine appears to be honorable by respecting a previous procurement contract for Oplot tanks with Thailand. Well, that is to say eventually when maybe the conflict ends.

[Jai Dee]

One offensive post and subsequent replies have been removed from this thread.

[chilli42]

Sell them to the Chinese. I am sure they have been waiting for something like this.

[FangFerang]

"the problem was that those products are more expensive because the producers cannot mass produce due to fast-changing technology."

Bull feathers. Horse hockey.

And why show a cartoon instead of a real picture, eh Brute?

[fakser]

I like the crew member.I will volunteer to serve with her...

[Lodestone]

Showing off a piece of military hardware with a 'pretty' to pose by it. Only in Thailand.

[phoenixdoglover]

The pictured vehicle was designed by Ricardo, plc., a UK company specializing in niche design and manufacturing.

November 2013

“Ricardo is proud to have been selected by DTI to partner with it on this key vehicle programme,” commented Andy North, Ricardo chief engineer, defence. “This work builds upon our extremely strong reputation for the design, development and production of class-leading, agile and highly crew-protected defence vehicles, including the Foxhound, WMIK and Vixen platforms used by British forces. We look forward to working with DTI on this important programme and helping to develop a truly world-class defence vehicle.”

[Rocceao]

I didn't know they made 8 wheel tuk tuks in Thiland!!

[BSJ]

I like the crew member.I will volunteer to serve with her...

Maybe the 'with' is not necessary if your thinking what I think your thinking!

[DrTuner]

More toys for the boys?

You mean the one in front of the vehicle, right?

[waldroj]

The military has limited budget because what budget it has goes on salaries of its top heavy generals.

[CantSpell]

The military has limited budget because what budget it has goes on salaries of its top heavy generals.

Don't worry, has been planned all along.

Take the budget, leave the tank there, go spend the budget with/on the pretty

Business as usual hehe

[SiSePuede419]

Up-armored Tuk Tuks?

(trying to maintain a stiff upper lip)