PUBLISHED: 28 May 2024 at 04: 49
Bhutan’s National Police Agency received weapons and armor from Thailand and were presented to the Defense Ministry.
Minister Sutin Klungsang led the hand-over service at the ministry’s main office on Monday, where Bhutanese ambassadors from Bangkok represented the police force in the Himalayan kingdom.
Gen Porphol Maneerin, president of the Defence Technology Institute (DTI), and Nopparat Kulhiran, president of Chaiseri Metal &, Rubber Co Ltd, even joined the meeting.
Ten 4×4 silicone- wheeled Bikes, 200 7.62mm sidearms, and 30 firearms were delivered during the festival.
Mr. Sutin stated that the government recognized the significance of the private sector in boosting the country’s defense industry and planned to support export projects in this area.
The ATV, designed by Thai structural professionals and built by Thai Defence Industries Company ( TDI), a shared- invested business between DTI and Chaiseri, has been sold to numerous countries, he said.
The armored vehicle is equipped with higher- performance 300- PS machines, providing up to stage 2 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s ( Nato ) AEP- 55 STANAG 4569 security standards, which can shield at least 11 personnel. The firearms were made by Weapons Manufacture Industries ( WMI ), a Thai consortium, Mr Sutin said.
He stated that TDI intends to import more military tools to Bhutan and other Southeast Asian nations.
According to Mr. Sutin, the success of TDI and WMI exports is one of the country’s biggest achievements in the safety industry, which demonstrates the country’s capacity for innovation while establishing international trust.
One of the 11 sectors for economic growth is the arms industry, according to Mr. Sutin, and the state is aiming to help as much as possible.
A number of regulations related to arms production, mainly income tax and customs, will be amended, as some manufacturers were reported to be affected by a law that affects the transfer of important weapon parts, he said.
Mr. Sutin added that more discussions have been planned regarding the amendments, with plans to submit a proposal to the house this session.
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang is pictured shaking hands with Bhutan’s ambassador, Kinzang Dorji, at the handover ceremony at the permanent secretary’s office on Monday. ( Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)