Cooperation in defense systems
PUBLISHED: 26 Jun 2024 at 04: 04
Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister, has argued that an offset scheme should be used by the armed forces when purchasing weapons and military equipment.
According to this scheme, mutual benefits may be secured as a prerequisite for approving a new purchasing agreement, he said.
Thailand would have the chance to develop new defense technology if Thailand were to offer the country with new military equipment.
Mr. Srettha said that he discussed the possibility of the Thai government purchasing 12 SAAB Gripen fighter jets during his meeting on Monday with Marcus Wallenberg, president of Swedish bank Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken ( SEB ) and Saab AB.
The prime minister made reference to Mr. Wallenberg about the president’s offset policy and said he wanted the Thai-based Scandinavian flight maker to develop its aircraft technology.
Mr. Srettha further stated that he wanted to establish a new SAAB plane repair center, factory, or manufacturer.
Swedish companies under Mr Wallenberg’s care account for up to 40 % of Sweden’s gross domestic product ( GDP ), Mr Srettha said.
The primary minister said he suggested that Thailand and Sweden carry a small website on the occasion of the upcoming World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This will open up more conversation about industrial cooperation with Scandinavian businesses across a wide range of topics.
At Monday’s appointment, Mr. Srettha said he would not go into detail about the Royal Thai Air Force’s plans to purchase new fighter planes because it was the Ministry of Defense’s duty to choose the type and the dealer for the purchase of the new planes.
He claimed that the offset rule should still be in effect even if the air pressure rather purchases US F-16 fighter jets.
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang said a legal review was a waiting pending choice on the Royal Thai Navy’s long-overdue 13.5 billion-baht underwater sourcing strategy.
A joint working group led by Mr. Sutin may be set up later this week to implement the government’s so-called “military technology procurement bundle policy.”
According to Mr. Sutin, all armed forces leaders have come to an agreement in principle regarding this new policy, which mandates that all armed forces purchases be made in one package rather than individually.