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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Closer PH-Thai defense ties pave way for asset, tech collaboration: DND

Closer PH-Thai defense ties pave way for asset, tech collaboration: DND

Published Sep 6, 2025 10:54 am  |  Updated Sep 6, 2025 01:39 pm
Delegates discuss as the Department of National Defense (DND) and Thailand's Ministry of Defence convene the fifth Philippines-Thailand Joint Committee on Military Cooperation (JCMC) Meeting in Mandaluyong City on Sept. 4, 2025. (Photo: DND)
Delegates discuss as the Department of National Defense (DND) and Thailand's Ministry of Defence convene the fifth Philippines-Thailand Joint Committee on Military Cooperation (JCMC) Meeting in Mandaluyong City on Sept. 4, 2025. (Photo: DND)
The Department of National Defense (DND) and Thailand’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) vowed to further enhance their collaboration so they could explore opportunities for potential equipment and technology sharing and acquisition.
The commitment was made as the two defense departments convened the fifth Philippines-Thailand Joint Committee on Military Cooperation (JCMC) Meeting last Sept. 4 in Mandaluyong City.
The meeting was co-chaired by DND Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Marita I. Yoro and General Tharapong Malakam, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Thailand.
The DND said Yoro and Malakam reaffirmed their commitment to the 1997 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Military Cooperation to highlight the longstanding defense partnership between the two countries.
Manila and Bangkok celebrate the 76th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations this 2025.
“Both sides also expressed readiness in exploring future cooperation in the areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and defense industry and logistics acquisition, including possible joint ventures and technology exchange,” the DND said in a statement Saturday, Sept. 6.
Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations nearly eight decades ago, the cooperation in defense technology between the two countries has grown steadily over the years. In February, Thailand offered offshore boats, drones, and armored vehicles such as armored tanks to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to support its modernization program.
During a July 2024 visit, the Royal Thai Navy also extended support by sharing best practices in manufacturing ammunition, weapons, missiles, offshore patrol vessels, and frigate spare parts to boost the Philippines’ Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) program.
Beyond hardware, the two countries have ramped up cooperation in emerging domains which was evident when cyber defense experts from the Philippine Army and Royal Thai Army came together for a hands-on cybersecurity subject matter expert exchange at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City in August this year.
Meanwhile, the DND said Yoro and Malakam also exchanged views on pressing regional security issues and reaffirmed their commitment to upholding a rules-based international order.
Thailand expressed support towards the Philippine chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, particularly in defense department-led ASEAN activities which include the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus.
The two officials noted the robust military-to-military cooperation between the Philippines and Thailand, and agreed to sustain regular dialogues and planning activities, including high-level exchanges, intelligence and information sharing, and education and training opportunities between their respective armed forces.
The next JCMC Meeting will be hosted by Thailand “on a mutually convenient schedule,” the DND said.

Related Tags

DND Thailand Ministry of Defence defense cooperation JCMC 2025
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