Thailand, China to set up joint defence facility

BANGKOK: Thailand’s defence technology agency plans to set up a joint centre with China to produce and maintain military equipment in the latest sign of the strengthening security relationship since the 2014 coup.

The plans to establish the facility and discussions on a Chinese naval centre to serve submarines that Thailand ordered this year point to a growing Chinese security presence in the oldest US ally in the region as elsewhere in South-East Asia.

The Thai government’s Defence Technology Institute (DTI) will set up Thailand’s first commercial joint defence facility with China in the north-eastern province of Khon Kaen in July next year, defence ministry spokesperson Kongcheep Tantravanic has said.

It will be responsible for assembly, production and maintenance of a Chinese land weapon systems for the Thai armyAll production will be for Thai domestic official usage. The China North Industries Corporation makes tanks and weapons among other heavy equipment.

Tantravanich said China would provide training and technology transfer, but details of any Chinese personnel in Khon Kaen were among things being discussed with China North Industries Corporation.

The Chinese Defence Ministry failed to respond when contacted for comment.

China has become an increasingly important source of weapons for Thailand, particularly since the US and Western countries downgraded ties after the army seized power in 2014.

Major purchases since 2015 include orders for 49 Chinese tanks and 34 armoured vehicles worth at least $320 million – much more than the army has bought from other countries, although it also ordered helicopters from both Russia and the US.