Interview with General Jochat Bouahau, Director General, Board Member and Secretary of the Defense Technology Institute (DTI).
The Institute of Defense Technology is the main defense research and development agency under the Ministry of Defense. It supports not only the Royal Thai Armed Forces, but also government agencies and the civilian sector in some projects.
Bilingual Program Daily (BSD): How has the Defense & Security (D&S) show been different since the last event before COVID?
Buakhao Director General (DGB): For DTI, it’s definitely a big departure from the last event held before the pandemic. The transformation of the government in the DTI has resulted in increased responsibilities and powers to promote the defense industry. Examples of additional permissions are as follows:
- engage in defense industry activities;
- Establishment or joint establishment of legal entities, as well as investment, equity participation or partnership with any person or legal entity to operate defense industrial activities in accordance with the standards and procedures set forth in this law. Defence Technology Policy Committee, approved by the Cabinet;
- Entrust any other person as a representative to carry out activities under the objectives of the Institute, which shall also be in accordance with the relevant laws and international agreements to which Thailand is obligated;
- Manufacture and sale of defense products developed by DTI domestically and abroad in accordance with the rules established by the Defense Technology Policy Council.
Since the Defence Technology Act 2019 came into effect on May 1, 2019, DTI has jointly established three joint ventures, Thailand Defence Industries (TDI); Aerotech Industries Ltd (ATIL); and Weapons Manufacturing Industries (WMI). These represent the most significant differences from DTI’s last exhibition. Therefore, military equipment products such as 4×4 armored vehicles, drones and rifles produced by the joint venture will be exhibited at the DTI Pavilion. In addition, there are many more research prototypes developed by DTI and potential partners.
Stop by the DTI Pavilion, where souvenirs will be offered.
BSD: How large is the involvement of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF)? Which of their exhibits will be of particular interest to international visitors?
National standard: As usual, the Ministry of Defense of Thailand and the Office of the Permanent Secretary of Defense (OPSD), the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF), the Royal Thai Army (RTA), the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) will participate in the exhibition and Various types of military equipment will be displayed at the Thailand MOD Pavilion, including:
- 9 research prototypes for OPSD
- 4 RTARF research prototypes
- 16 RTA research prototypes
- 4 RTN research prototypes
- 6 RTAF research prototypes
All of the above exhibits are related to research and development conducted by our Thai Ministry of Defense researchers and produced in factories owned by the Ministry of Defense, especially various ammunition. Therefore, the defense sector can strengthen Thailand’s economy and achieve self-reliance on defense technology.
BSD: Which international companies and countries are new to the event this year?
National standard: As far as we know, a number of companies are ready to receive visitors, and they will be distributed in many international pavilions such as South Korea, China, France, the United States, Turkey, Singapore, the Czech Republic, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Germany. Israel, Qatar, etc. The latest is DTI’s three joint ventures: TDI, ATIL and WMI. There are many entrepreneurs in each pavilion, so this year will be interesting for visitors to the exhibition.
BSD: What is DTI’s goal in developing Thailand’s defense sector? Are there any new industry incentives to encourage international companies to set up regional bases or joint ventures in Thailand?
National standard: Generally speaking, as you know, the Thai government has announced the defense industry as the new S-Curve 11, which will directly correspond to the Thailand 4.0 policy. This means that the defense industry can drive the Thai economy and promote Thailand to become one of the developed countries.
As a government agency established under the Defense Technology Act 2019, DTI is one of the key ecosystems supporting and facilitating the expansion of Thailand’s defense industry. According to the “National Strategy for 2018-2037 National Strategy to Improve Competitiveness”, there are two goals; the scale of the defense industry will be expanded, and defense industry exports will continue to increase. To achieve these two goals, there are several basic goals, including: conducting research and development innovations based on defense technologies; promoting and supporting defense industrial activities; developing training, research, knowledge and personnel; developing domestic and foreign cooperation; and becoming an information and center of knowledge. According to DTI, one of the key activities is the establishment of a defense industrial park, which will run from fiscal 2023 to 2027, and effectively develop the defense industry.
All interested companies are welcome to visit the DTI Pavilion for more information on this issue.
In addition, we can also engage in defense industry business, investing domestically and abroad by forming joint ventures, providing defense services, and testing and certifying defense products. Therefore, international companies can jointly invest with DTI to establish a legal entity to carry out the activities of the defense industry.
Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO) and Board of Investments (BOI) are part of an ecosystem to develop defense industries to address new industry incentives for international companies. EECO is an important public institution that encourages investment and promotes innovation and advanced technology. They are business facilitators who add value throughout the project life cycle and coordinate closely and actively with other public authorities and the private sector to ensure project success. BOI is a government agency under the Prime Minister’s Office. Its main role and responsibility is to promote direct investment and can provide information on investment promotion, including benefits and privileges, a list of eligible activities, relevant announcements, and investment promotion application criteria and conditions. The defense industry is classified as activity-based incentives and divided into four activities:
- Manufacture and/or repair of defense vehicles and weapon systems: tanks, armoured or combat vehicles, combat auxiliary vehicles and specific parts for manufacture and/or repair.
- Manufacture and/or repair of unmanned systems for national defense and their manufacture and/or repair components: unmanned ground systems using advanced technology ground systems (UGS), unmanned maritime systems (UMS), unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and specific technologies Repair of parts used in manufacturing and/or maintenance activities, such as primary structures, robotic arms, handles, communication systems, camera systems, computer systems, electrical systems, batteries, etc.
- Manufacture and/or repair of defense and component weapons and training aids: simulation and virtual training systems, such as combat vehicle virtual training aids, individual weapons and unit weapon training field systems; Joint Theater Level Simulation Systems (JTLS), etc.
- Manufacture and/or repair of combat convenience equipment such as ballistic and ballistic vests, armor or ballistic and ballistic shields.
For more information about awards, you can visit https://www.eeco.or.th/en and https://www.boi.go.th/en/index/.
BSD: Have any conferences/seminars been organized, and if so, can you summarize what topics they will cover?
National standard: Yes, there is a very interesting workshop in Jupiter Hall #12 -13 1:00pm on August 31st, 2022 on: “Strategically driven direction and guidelines for the development of the Thai defense industry in the future.“
In this workshop, all participants will learn about the definition of Thailand’s defense industry, the ecosystem of the defense industry, government agencies that will play an important role in advancing the defense industry, incentives for anyone. Interested companies interested in investing and establishing a defense industrial park in Thailand. In addition, a One Stop Service (OSS) will be established within the defense industrial park to facilitate and assist all investors in the approval, licensing and granting of rights and concessions in accordance with relevant laws.
BSD: Why is Defence & Security usually held later in the year and August/September? Are you planning to move your next event to later this year?
National standard: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Defense & Security 2021 has been postponed for a year and will take place from August 29 to September 1, 2022. Usually held every other year in November. As a result, the next Defence & Security exhibition will resume as normal, taking place from 6-9 November 2023.
BSD: Do you have anything else to say about this year’s Defence & Security Show?
DGB: The Covid-19 pandemic has brought us difficult times and adjusted us to the new normal. It also affects the global economy. Thailand is one of the countries that has effectively managed and prevented the spread of COVID-19. For the defense industry, it is clear that the Thai government and the Ministry of Defense have a strong will to get out of the woods successfully. In addition, DTI is an important government agency responsible for the defense industry and also has commercial operations, especially with regard to the export of all military equipment. DTI’s platform provides a full range of services on a “winner takes all” basis. Therefore, we would like to invite industries that are interested in cooperating with DTI for joint production and sales to visit our show.
In addition, interested parties are invited to invest in defense industrial parks. We expect it to take about 4-5 years to complete, starting in fiscal 2023. Therefore, Thailand will become an important global supply chain and with its geographical location, we can export our products to different countries. Region is valid. Last but not least, visit us at the DTI Pavilion, where we showcase our latest defense technologies and innovations.
by Andrew Drwiega
