Bangkok: The commanders of the armed forces convened for their final meeting before retirement, focusing on the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). General Songwit Noonpakdee, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, chaired the 5th meeting of the Commanders of the Armed Forces for the fiscal year 2025 at the National Defense Studies Institute, Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters. The meeting was attended by General Pana Klaewplodthuk, Admiral Chirapol Wongwit, Air Chief Marshal Panphakdee Pattanakul, and Police General Kittirat Phanphet.
According to Thai News Agency, the meeting commenced with a moment of silence for the 15 soldiers and 14 civilians who died in the unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border. General Noonpakdee congratulated the commanders on their service and acknowledged their continued dedication to Thailand. He also expressed condolences for a police officer who died during a drug suppression mission in Trang Province.
The commanders discussed measures to address current threats and the importance of a seamless transfer of command. Progress on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-unmanned aerial systems (CUAS) was presented by all branches. The Royal Thai Army highlighted its collaboration with private and educational sectors to develop offensive drones and counter-drone systems, aiming for sustainable self-reliance in defense.
The Royal Thai Army announced plans to establish a UAV warfare center and battalion, with operations starting from October 1. The Royal Thai Navy presented its deployment of three UAS types for surveillance and a capability development plan to address threats at strategic locations such as Sattahip Naval Base.
The Royal Thai Air Force emphasized the future dominance of UAV technology, outlining a 25-year development plan. This includes an integrated air defense system for tactical networking and information exchange. The Royal Thai Police detailed its UAV capabilities for various missions, including security and disaster relief, supporting the armed forces' efforts to protect the nation.
This meeting marks the conclusion of service for most commanders, with only the National Police Commissioner and Army Commander set to retire in 2026 and 2027, respectively.