“Gen. Before the National Defense Council meeting, the Ministry of Defense appreciates the skills of the Thai military and related agencies in furthering military equipment research, practical, low cost, but meets international standards. Hoping to reduce purchases from foreign countries.
Before the Defense Council meeting General Prayut Chan-ocha, Prime Minister and Minister of Defense along with the Ministry of Defense supreme commander army commander naval commander and Representative of the Air Force Commander Visit the research exhibition booth equipment development at the Surasakmontri room City Hall of the Ministry of Defense Organized by the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense by the Center for Weapons Production and Defense Technology Institute (DTI) by researching, developing and producing weapons that can be used to replace imports from foreign countries. And actually used in the army with a lower price than purchasing from abroad
General Prayut Praise the research work of Thai people and be proud of the defense agencies and DTI that have the ability to develop country industry can actually be used in the army
The reporter reported that during the exhibition Gen. Prayuth tried to aim a rifle that was researched and developed to suit the physiology of Thai soldiers. By improving it to be easy to maintain and maintain. Weapon Production Center Has developed a 5.56 mm rifle, which is an extension of the research of Department of Science and Technology of Defense in 2020 to be able to use it for real It started operating since the year 2021 until now There is an annual import plan for the year 2024-2025, where the unit analyzes materials science and engineering. Use materials that are widely available within the country. reduce imports from abroad Can be used to produce different parts of the gun.
The extension of such research through a joint research process from the Office of the Permanent Secretary. Ministry of Defense, Army, Navy, Air Force and Royal Thai Police Until the prototype gun with a barrel length of 14.5 inches and 20 inches was tested by the Ministry of Defense Armament Standards Committee, 15 stations for durability shooting tests. Shooting in various environments at the tactical training range Infantry Division 9 Kanchanaburi Province Between July 19-30, 2022, until receiving the standard certification from the Ministry of Defense Standards Committee on October 25, 2022, which is the same international standard set by foreign countries. The cost of production is much lower than imports from foreign countries.
It is currently in the process of testing the production line. to prepare the machine Including testing the procurement of materials, parts and producing Pilot Lot of 25 cylinders to ensure success and international standards at a lower cost than purchasing from abroad. for the next step Weapon Production Center Will be deployed to use in the maintenance and training of the unit, amounting to 400 cylinders, which will begin operations in the years 2024-2025 in order to acknowledge FEED BACK from long-term actual use and to improve further.
For the production of scarce spare parts, such as the Special Warfare Command. Lack of parts for sniper rifles Ballet 0.50 inches and Stoner SR – 25 PDR have jointly solved the problem by producing standard parts shortages. It can work normally and has high durability. And there will still be joint projects in the future. To fix other existing weapon parts, the 9mm gun, both a long gun and a short gun It is an extension of the knowledge gained from the development of a 5.56 mm long rifle, expanding the production line to meet the needs of other agencies such as the border patrol police, the Royal Forest Department or the Ministry of the Interior.
Defense Technology Institute (DTI) has a joint venture with a private company. and conducting a research project for the 8×8 wheeled armored vehicle “Sea Tiger” for the Royal Thai Navy according to the memorandum of agreement between them By research and development to meet the use of the Marine Corps. In this regard, the said work has been certified by the Naval Armament Standards Board. And currently, the company has been invited to the Royal Navy’s procurement process to supply 8×8 armored personnel carriers in fiscal year ’66, in which approximately 40% of domestic parts are in production.
Unmanned aerial vehicle production project with a friendly country (China) to create knowledge extension. with the Army as a user And from the research, DTI has obtained the industrial prototype of the DP20 unmanned aircraft ready to be delivered to the Army. in April 2023 and at present, the National Defense Technology Institute has conducted further research to obtain an armed unmanned aerial vehicle according to the initiative of the Minister of Defense, model DP20/A, which will be able to be delivered to the Army in 2024
For research works that are available for sale to the military, consisting of 1. Unmanned aerial vehicle models D – EYE 01 and D – EYE 02 are industrial prototype research products ready to be produced and sold. Both models have passed the trial test. The work has come to a certain extent from the military, especially D – EYE O2 has already been certified by the Ministry of Defense Standards Committee in 2020. Both systems are military standard UAVs. 2. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robot (EOD ROBOT) ) Noona and D – EMPRIER are robots that National Defense Technology Institute has joint research and development with educational institutions. as well as collecting requirements from agencies within the Ministry of Defense to research to meet the needs of the units used until it can meet the needs And received both industrial prototypes, including the standard certification of the Ministry of Defense Armament Standards Committee as well
At present, one item can be produced and sold, namely, the Noona model, with the Naval Ordnance Department, the Royal Thai Navy (NIDA) as a supplier, and in the process of procuring another item, D – EMPRIER, with the Ordnance Department. air force The Royal Thai Air Force is the supplier.
Source: Thai News Agency