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24 D EF EN S EH ER E D E F E N S E & S E C U R I T Y 2 0 2 3 E D I T I O N

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are moving towards a greater emphasis on deterring
external threats, while continuing their longstanding
internal-security role, particularly in the country’s far
south, where a Malay-nationalist insurgency continues.
The Vision 2026 defence-modernisation plan, approved
by the defence council in October 2017, outlined the
armed forces’ planned capability improvements for the
following decade. Thailand is classed as a major non-
NATO ally by the US, but it has also developed closer
defence ties with China since 2014. The armed forces
regularly take part in international military exercises,
notably the multinational annual Cobra Gold series
with the US and some of its allies and security partners.
Personnel continue to be deployed to the UNMISS
naval acquisitions director- general Rear Admiral Apichai mission in South Sudan. The military-modernisation
Sompolgrunk said in April that, though it was too early effort includes development of a submarine capability,
to talk of cancelling the contract, only the Yuan-class as well as the strengthening of anti-submarine-warfare
boat was acceptable. In August 2022, it was reported capability and procurement of new surface ships. The
that the China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co. armoured-vehicle fleet has been recapitalized with
was offering replacement engines. deliveries from China and Ukraine. Saab 340 AEW&C
Thailand’s air force also faced re-equipment challenges. aircraft, Gripen combat aircraft and a new command-
In January 2023, the Cabinet approved in principle a and-control system have improved air capability. In
plan to acquire four F-35As in FY2023, to be followed January 2020, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) issued
by a further four of the same type. However, in August a White Paper which detailed further acquisition and
2023 objections from Thailand’s House Budget Scrutiny upgrade requirements through the 2020s, including
Committee, in light of the country’s economic downturn, fighters, tactical-transport and VIP aircraft. The RTAF
cut initial proposed procurement to two aircraft. launched a space-operations centre in August 2019,
Another potential impediment was that the purchase a priority identified in the National Strategy 2018–37
needed approval from the US government: some analysts development programme. Under its Defence Industry
thought this might not be granted because of Thailand’s Masterplan, the government indicates that expanding
close defence relations with China and the information- Thailand’s presently limited defence sector could be
security requirements associated with the sale of the an important way to develop military capability and
F-35. improve self- reliance.
Economic weakness and the Tatmadaw’s preoccupation ARMY
with internal-security threats meant that efforts to ACTIVE 360,850 (Army 245,000 Navy 69,850 Air 46,000)
improve conventional military capabilities were no Gendarmerie & Paramilitary 93,700
longer prioritised to the extent they had been before
the February 2021 military coup. Until early 2022, Conscription liability 24 months
the country’s main military-equipment suppliers had RESERVE 200,000 Gendarmerie & Paramilitary 45,000
been Russia and Ukraine, and the war in Ukraine and
international sanctions have raised questions over the
durability of these supplier relationships and where
else Myanmar might look for its defence equipment.
Although the Tatmadaw has a long-standing aversion
to overly heavy reliance on Beijing, in December 2021
Myanmar’s navy took delivery of an ex-PLAN Type-035B
(Ming) submarine from China. And reports indicated that
Myanmar was strengthening its military relations with
North Korea, though it was unclear what the implications
might be in terms of equipment supplies. Nonetheless,
there were reports in September that Myanmar was to
receive Su-30SM combat aircraft from Russia, under a
2018 contract.
Capabilities
Thailand has large, well-funded armed forces and its
air force is one of the best equipped and trained in
Southeast Asia. Facing an increasingly unstable regional- SOURCE: THE MILITARY BALANCE 2023 – CIA THE
security environment, the Royal Thai Armed Forces WORLD FACTBOOK – STATISTA – JANES - IMF