Thai firms pivot to defense as government pushes local procurement

Aerospace & Defense IndustriesDrone and satellite companies race for military contractsNacDrone CEO Asawin Rompasert poses at the company's booth at a defense industry exhibition in Bangkok on July 8. (Photo by Joseph Rachman)JOSEPH RACHMANJuly 23, 2026 16:34 JSTBANGKOK -- Thailand's push to increase local defense procurement is creating new opportunities for businesses, driving companies from other areas such as agricultural drones and satellite services to pursue military contracts.