Thailand Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in thailand, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
Defense and Security
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Overview

Thailand’s National Security Strategy focuses on safeguarding the nation, modernizing the armed forces, maintaining combat readiness, and neutralizing regional arms races, with a defense budget of about $6 billion annually.

Insurgency activities in southern provinces, illegal cross-border smuggling and human trafficking activities, and border conflicts with neighboring countries are major factors influencing the demand for defense and security equipment in Thailand.

Thailand aims to reduce its reliance on defense imports by promoting domestic defense industry development through technology transfer, supporting local industry growth, and strengthening national security. The Ministry of Defense of Thailand emphasizes the need for a technologically advanced military to address emerging security threats, advocating for strategic procurement aligned with regional capabilities. 

In 2025, the Thai government allocated about one percent of the country’s GDP to defense. An estimated 48 percent of the defense budget is assigned to the Royal Thai Army, another 21 percent is allocated to the Royal Thai Navy, and 18 percent to the Royal Thai Air Force. The remaining funds are distributed to the Office of the Permanent Secretary, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, and the Defense Technology Institute.

Leading Sub-sectors

•    Security and safety equipment
•    Electronic warfare equipment
•    Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems 

Opportunities

Thai defense procurement focuses on technology transfer, modernization, and offset agreements for local industry promotion. Offsets and local defense industry developments are prioritized and integrated into the 20-year national strategy, the National Economic and Social Development Plan. 

The Thai military is also investing in equipment such as helicopters, fighter jets, frigates, armored vehicles, air-defense radars, anti-terrorism equipment, and natural disaster management systems. Opportunities for growth include unmanned vehicles and counter-unmanned aerial systems for military applications. There are opportunities for sales and joint development of unmanned platforms for air, land, and sea applications.

The Thai Ministry of Defense introduced the Five-year Ministry of Defense Reorganization Plan and the International Military Security Cooperation Plan (2023-2028). The Reorganization Plan aims to accomplish the following national security goals: 

•    Increase the Ministry’s efficiency by reducing military personnel. 
•    Equip the Thai military with advanced defense equipment sufficient to protect Thailand’s sovereignty.
•    Enhance the ability to cope with multiple threats with multi-mission capability.
•    Increase the capacity to handle a changing national security environment.
•    Reduce or close military units with redundant roles and responsibilities.

While the Reorganization Plan focuses on capability enhancement, the International Cooperation Plan focuses on promoting international relations with military forces of friendly nations (military allies), including joint military exercises, high-level commander visits, military education exchange programs, bilateral and multilateral meetings, and Memoranda of Understanding. A key goal is to increase trust among the military forces of allied nations.

Resources

Event: Defense & Security 2025
Date: November 10-13, 2025
Email: info@asiandefense.com

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