Ministry urges support for producers of military gear

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.