Thailand ratifies defence industry MOU with Philippines

Thailand’s government has ratified an agreement with the Philippines to expand defence industrial collaboration. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) – announced in early March – supports Thailand’s proposed export of offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) to its Southeast Asian neighbour.

The Thai government said in a notice that the MOU provides a formal framework for the two countries to engage in defence trade with each other and to undertake joint research, development, and production projects.

Thailand and the Philippines have signed an agreement to collaborate on defence production. The accord could support Thailand’s proposed export to its Southeast Asian neighbour of the BAE Systems’ designed Krabi-class OPV (pictured here). (BAE Systems)

The agreement, which runs for an initial five years, also provides for greater collaboration in military logistics and related activities such as the provision of spare parts.

In early March, the Philippines also signed a similar defence agreement with India. This accord – known as the ‘implementing arrangement concerning the procurement of defence material and equipment’ – was signed between the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) and Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The accord is intended to support India’s potential export to the Philippines of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.