EEC soft defence studies target weapon substitutes

EEC soft defence studies target weapon substitutes

Drones and satellites eyed for tighter security

A drone developed by the Defence Technology Institute takes flight. WICHAN CHAROENKIATPAKUL
A drone developed by the Defence Technology Institute takes flight. WICHAN CHAROENKIATPAKUL

The government is conducting a feasibility study of the Eastern Economic Corridor's (EEC's) soft defence industry, including army drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and satellites, which are expected to play a key role in the country tightening its security around industrial zones.

The military agencies are interested in drones, ground-based controllers, two-way communication systems and satellites. Normally, each drone has a range of 30km.

Anond Snidvongs, executive director of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, said the agency teamed up with the EEC Office and the Royal Thai Armed Forces to cooperate on the study about the soft defence industry under the S-curve policy.

"Thailand will soon have its own technology," Mr Anond said. "The government has set a goal to develop and improve soft defence technologies and R&D activities for the country's security."

Earlier this year, the EEC committee proposed a draft to set up a defence industry system as an 11th target industry under the S-curve policy for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to approve, but he has yet to act.

Kanit Sangsubhan, secretary-general of the EEC Office, said the committee was told to conduct a study of the defence industry since last November because the government wants to upgrade the efficiency and technology of the army, air force and navy.

The government aims to produce more of the country's security implements at home to reduce their annual budget from importing new weapons and technology.

Plans call for setting up new industrial estates to serve the project, similar to the Malaysian Defence and Security Technology Park, Mr Kanit said.

He said the government has a strong relationship with many countries that produce military weapons and vehicles, such as China, the US and Japan, and remains confident that they will support and transfer know-how on the latest technology to Thailand.

The goal is to increase the country's security in the future through substitutions for weapons and technology from overseas.

The S-curve projects comprise 10 targeted industries: next-generation cars; smart electronics; affluent, medical and wellness tourism; agriculture and biotechnology; food; robotics for industry; logistics and aviation; biofuels and biochemicals; digital; and medical services.

The EEC scheme spans three provinces -- Chachoengsao, Chon Buri and Rayong -- with 21 industrial estates spread over 86,775 rai, of which 28,666 rai is developed land ready to serve investor demand in the EEC provinces.

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