ส.อ.ท. เดินหน้ายกระดับอุตสาหกรรมป้องกันประเทศ หนุนผลิตในประเทศ สร้างระบบนิเวศสู่การพึ่งพาตนเองFTI Advances Development of the Defense Industry, Supporting Domestic Production and Creating a Self-Sustaining Ecosystem

On July 14, 2026, Mr. Itthares Ratnandilok Na Phuket, Vice President of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), along with the Registrar and Member Complaint Affairs, Dr. Somsit Moonsatharn, Chairman of the Defense Industry Group, Mr. Somboon Pityarangsarit, Chairman of the Machinery and Automation Industry Group, Mr. Suren Suwannawongkit, Vice President of the Steel Industry Group, and Mr. Piyawat Kaewyanurak, Secretary-General of the Metal Casting Industry Group, visited Narek Arm Industry Co., Ltd. to study ways to promote the defense industry towards self-reliance.

This study visit focused on the approach to elevate the defense industry from Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) to Original Design Manufacturing/Original Brand Manufacturing (ODM/OBM) in order to increase market bargaining power.

The meeting addressed key upstream obstacles in the industry, particularly regarding machinery, which lacks legal support for the establishment of factories for producing military equipment. This includes outdated regulations surrounding machinery registration and loan applications for factories manufacturing military equipment, as well as differing opinions among approving agencies, which pose obstacles to the current export of military equipment.

Additionally, the meeting discussed creating networks and ecosystems within the defense industry by promoting a "Role Model" pilot model to link other Supply Chains into the system, as well as proposing a Mapping Segment for the defense industry to consider overall Supply Chain connections and develop a clear upstream-downstream industrial ecosystem. This will be accompanied by systematic communication and public relations to showcase the manufacturing capabilities of the Thai private sector, thus instilling confidence among executives and high-level decision-makers.

Furthermore, the meeting summarized actions that need to be expedited, such as advocating amendments to the 1950 Act to facilitate domestic production, promoting investment incentives from the Board of Investment (BOI), linking existing businesses into the defense industry Supply Chain, and promoting the Made in Thailand (MiT) trademark. It was also determined to explore the feasibility for the defense industry group to "plug-in" to the FTI's industrial ecosystem to create a pilot model and clarify cooperation formats between FTI, associations, and related industry groups.

The FTI is confident that enhancing national security alongside elevating the potential of Thai industries and building strong networks and ecosystems will be a crucial driving force for sustainable competitiveness in Thailand's defense industry moving forward.