By Thai Newsroom Reporters
DEFENCE MINISTER SUTHIN Khlangsang today (Apr 4) pledged to promote defence industry beginning with the planned construction of a frigate by a domestic shipbuilder.
During the second day of censure debate without a subsequent vote of confidence at parliament, the defence minister confirmed domestic defence industry involving the shipbuilding and manufacturing of any weapon systems and related equipment will be significantly promoted in lieu of purchasing ones which may be entirely manufactured abroad.
For instance, Suthin said, a new frigate which the navy plans to procure with a sum of 17 billion baht in funding for next fiscal year will be manufactured in Thailand in effort to promote domestic defence industry, technology transfers from abroad and employment of workers in the shipbuilding sector.
The civilian member of cabinet confirmed he had already advised all the armed services to see to it that either all or part of components for the shipbuilding be supplied domestically and that the relevant technologies be transferred from foreign shipbuilders to the Thais.
Suthin was responding to efforts on the part of the armed services to help promote defence industry with the manufacturing either in part or whole of any weapon systems in lieu of procuring ones wholly manufactured abroad.
The navy currently deploys seven frigates including a South Korean-built, HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej (FFG-471), two Chinese-built, Naresuan-class HTMS Naresuan (FFG-421) and HTMS Taksin (FFG-422) and four Chinese-built, Chao Phraya-class HTMS Chao Phraya (FFG-455), HTMS Bangpakong (FFG-456), HTMS Kraburi (FFG-457) and HTMS Saiburi (FFG-458).
CAPTION:
Defence Minister Suthin Khlangsang speaks at the House chamber today (Apr. 4), above, and a file photo of him, Front Page. Both images: Thai Rath
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