BANGKOK — The Royal Thai Army has proposed acquiring new military equipment, including wheeled armored vehicles, M777 howitzers and HIMARS rocket systems, as part of efforts to strengthen its operational readiness amid changing security threats.
The proposals were disclosed Monday following a visit by Defense Minister Adul Boonthamcharoen to Army headquarters, where he received briefings on the Army’s missions, operational challenges and plans to improve its capabilities.
Maj. Gen. Wintai Suvaree, an Army spokesman, said the Army had proposed updating its equipment, systems and regulations to respond to changing forms of threats. It also wants to modernize intelligence capabilities through greater cooperation with foreign countries.
The Army also proposed restructuring units responsible for aerial operations, including the establishment of an Unmanned Aerial Warfare Centre, or an unmanned aircraft battalion, to support its missions.
Among the equipment proposed for procurement are wheeled armored vehicles, supporting firepower, M777 155mm howitzers and HIMARS multiple rocket launchers. The proposals have been presented to the defense minister for consideration.
The Army has also requested additional funding to improve its capabilities, infrastructure and personnel.
The defense minister, meanwhile, emphasized that frontline military operations remain important but said information warfare conducted both domestically and internationally also poses a growing challenge.
He called for stronger coordination of military communications through a single official source, similar to the Joint Information Center (JIC) used to provide updates on the Thailand-Cambodia situation.
The approach is intended to provide the public with continuous, reliable information and reduce the impact of misleading claims circulating on social media.
The minister also urged the Army to adopt more proactive communication and encourage the public to rely on official sources when following security-related developments.
