India is exploring a joint production and development venture in defence with Thailand. A high-level defence delegation from Thailand led by its Permanent Secretary for Defence will visit New Delhi next week to explore joint production and development, besides sourcing of arms, diplomatic sources told ET.
The Indian side is keen to assist Thailand in setting up a defence industry and had proposed a visit to Indian facilities for the Thai side. While major platforms and systems will not be discussed now, a start can be made on systems that the ordnance factories manufacture - from explosives to small arms and defensive equipment, sources said.
"Thailand is offering India an upgraded defence relationship. It is a strategically-placed neighbour with whom we share common cultural linkages," an official pointed out. India's joint defence production has so far been confined to Russia, France, the US andIsrael. An upgraded Indo-Thai defence cooperation is also significant amid China's growing ambitions and defence manures in the region, say experts.
The Defence Ministry has been keen on engaging with Thailand. The first initiative was made in 2013 during a visit by then Defence Minister AK Antony in which he raised the matter of joint production with his Thai counterpart, Air Chief Marshal Sukumpol Suwanatat.
This initiative is now getting the push, sources pointed out. Officials said that while detailed discussions to narrow down areas of cooperation will now take place, there has been a keen interest by the Thai side to engage with Indian scientists as well as learning from the experience of setting up defence production facilities.
Till now, the bilateral defence relation has been limited to joint exercises and training between the armed forces. Last year, General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Royal Thai Armed Forces visited India.
