Thai government promotes R&D on national defence

BANGKOK, January 23 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Defence has promoted research and development (R&D) projects on national defence, in line with the government's policy. Thai Defence Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat spoke of the policy on Wednesday, when he presided over an event to celebrate the 4th anniversary of Thailand's Defence Technology Institute and then gave a special lecture on the independence of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol said that he supports the independence and foresees the great importance of the R&D projects on defence technology, noting that Thailand has good strategic bases. The defence minister suggested that the Royal Thai Armed Forces integrate their capacities to support the R&D projects. According to the minister, the Defence Technology Institute is a core organization which coordinates cooperation among relevant parties, which is a good sign of the promotion of industrial production to serve the Royal Thai Armed Forces, including the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), multi-barrel firearms and armoured vehicles, as part of national preparations for the establishment of the ASEAN Community (AC) by 2015. On the occasion, the Defence Technology Institute organized a discussion on the development of armoured vehicles by the government and the private sector for the sake of independence, covering proposals on addressing national threats, the necessity of independence and joint efforts of educational institutes, the government and the local private sector to develop armoured vehicles. An exhibition on the institute's R&D projects on multi-barrel firearms, fixed-wing and vertical UAVs and military simulations, as well as those on academic articles and those conducted by its postgraduates was also held. (TNA)