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Thailand starts its own defense research: import dependency falls!
Thailand is boosting its defense research with a new technology office to reduce import dependency and promote innovation.
Thailand starts its own defense research: import dependency falls!
Thailand is breaking new ground in defense research! The approval to establish a new Defense Science and Technology Office (DSTD) under the relevant Ministry of Defense places a clear focus on national security and technological independence. So far, the country faces an alarming 98 percent dependency on imported defense technologies. But with the DSTD, Thailand wants to coordinate military research and significantly increase its own development capacities.
As it-boltwise reports, the DSTD will also consolidate and streamline research activities across various government agencies and universities. The focus is on fundamental studies and the development of dual-use technologies - i.e. technologies with both civil and military applications. The move is intended not only to increase innovation but also to improve the connection between education and research, as Supachai Pathumnakul, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, points out.
A step into the future
In the context of these developments, a strategy is presented that aims to optimize the training of specialists and practical technology development. Thailand also plans to create a defense and military energy industry center to better manage military innovation. This step into the future should be in line with the Science, Research and Innovation Promotion Act of 2019.
Similarly, [acatech](https://www.acatech.de/general/ defenses research-and-dual-use/) emphasizes that the security policy situation in Europe is becoming increasingly important. The connection between civil and military research in particular shows how important it is to strengthen resilience and defense capability. In many high-tech industries, the demand for dual-use developments has increased noticeably, which is also reflected in the challenges of drawing clear boundaries between the two research fields.
Cooperation for innovation
Interestingly, there has been a lively exchange about dual-use technologies for years. For example, companies and research institutions cooperate to develop both military and civilian uses. A workshop to develop a roadmap for dual-use technologies took place in 2020. NXPO co-led this event, which served as a platform for exchanges between the Defense Science and Technology Department, the National Science and Technology Development Agency and other institutions. The aim was to maximize the use of technologies with military and civilian applications and thus create added value for national security. At this point, the course in Thailand appears to be set not only for greater technological independence, but also for increased collaboration between various players in defense research.
In the discussion on the development of dual-use technologies, it is clear that Thailand is actively taking steps to not only strengthen its defense but also create an innovative research and development environment. It remains to be seen what progress the coming years will bring and how the initiatives will impact international security.