US, Thailand Discuss Opportunities To Strengthen Defence Cooperation

By Linda Khoo Hui Li BANGKOK, June 14 (Bernama) -- US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin met with Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha where they shared perspectives on regional security issues and discussed opportunities to strengthen the US-Thai alliance. In a statement, the US Department of Defence said Austin had emphasised the US’ long-standing friendship with Thailand and reiterated the desire of the US to strengthen interoperability between the US and Thai forces as well as to support Thailand’s modernisation requirements. It said Austin and Prayuth had welcomed recent efforts to expand bilateral training and exercises, including through the establishment of a new working group on reciprocal access and training. Prayuth, who is also Thailand’s Defence Minister, had hosted Austin at the Defence Ministry. Monday’s visit was Austin’s first to Thailand as defence secretary where he also met with US defence personnel working in Thailand. The statement said the two leaders also highlighted priorities for cooperation in emerging technical areas, including cyber and space. “Both sides welcomed the incorporation of space and cyber cooperation into major bilateral exercises such as Cobra Gold and agreed to continue to cooperate on cyber capacity-building. “The two also discussed Thailand’s interest in enhanced defence industry cooperation. They praised the recent conclusion of a new bilateral defence technology agreement and agreed to develop a plan for future collaboration,” the statement said. Meanwhile, in his opening remarks at the meeting, Austin said US and Thailand will continue to build interoperability by training and exercising together across a range of capabilities, from maritime security to deterrence to military medicine. “I’m looking forward to sharing our perspectives on pressing regional issues, including the growing tensions in the South China Sea,” he said. He also highlighted the US commitment to increase the number of Thai students receiving professional military education in the US. -- BERNAMA