By Dan Shea
Every other year, the Ministry of Defence of Thailand sponsors an excellent four-day Defense & Security trade show at the Impact Exhibition & Convention Center, in Bangkok, Thailand. Defense & Security is one of the most important shows in the Pacific Rim area, and it draws important exhibitors and buyers as well as direct end users from many countries. The emphasis is on Asian countries, but it is fertile ground for American, European, and African manufacturers to display at as well.
AK-102 5.56x45mm, AK-103 7.62x39mm, AK-104 7.62x39mm. (Photo by Dr. Philip H. Dater)
U.S. Ordnance also premiered their new export model M4 Carbine (Photo by Dan Shea) 
U.S. Ordnance’s new M2HB is part of their government contract work on the venerable “Ma Deuce”. (Photo by Dr. Phillip H. Dater) 
Indian Ordnance Factories had a large booth, but were not featuring their basic small arms other than mortar ammunition and the new offering of ammunition for the M2 and M3 Carl Gustav 84mm Recoilless Rifle systems. (Photo by Dan Shea) 
Indigenous Thai manufacturing includes ammunition for cannon and mortars including high quality HE and smoke variants in 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm Mortars. (Photo by Dr. Philip H. Dater) 
Thai Military forces use the US “Humvee” and a number of upgraded variants were on display. (Photo by Dan Shea) 
FN MAG58 7.62x51mm machine gun in the “D” spade grip configuration on a vehicle mount in the Thai government area. (Photo by Dan Shea) 
Bushmaster was set up with numerous rifles on display. They were quite busy the entire time, as were most of the US Pavilion exhibitors. On the left is the Carbon-15 SMG while the Carbon .223 is on the right. (Photo by Dr. Philip H. Dater) 
Saab Bofors featured their M3 MAAWS 84mm Recoilless Rifle. (Photo by Dan Shea). 
Thailand is long associated with the Asian Elephant, and topiary displays were included in the Thai Ministry of Defense section. 
Dave Delp (left) and Steve Helzer explain the operation and upgrades of U.S. Ordnance’s MK43 GPMG (M60E4), to the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, the Honorable Ralph L. Boyce (center with beard), as Curtis Debord looks on (right). The Ambassador graciously hosted a reception for the U.S. Pavilion attendees at his residence in Bangkok. (Photo by Dan Shea)
The show promoters promise a very important crowd of defense related attendees, and they have always delivered on this. Seen at this show were high-ranking officials from the Thai Defence Ministries and Departments, and the Army, Navy and Air Forces of various Asian countries; Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Brunei, India, Pakistan, Korea, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, U.A.E. and Australia. Many other uniforms or business cards were noted- chiefs of police, coast guards and private security firms throughout the region.
Like many international shows, there are “country pavilions” set up so that it is easier for exhibitors from like countries to work together on setting up and presentations. Companies with competing products are certainly in these pavilions, but competition breeds excellence and tends to help each company work on their “best foot forward” presentation.
Almost every attendee that SAR spoke with was upbeat about the networking opportunities that were at this show. Innovation is also alive and well in the small arms industries of many countries. We noted a very nice drop-in bullpup stock that fits the HK33 and HK53 rifles, which the Thai inventor did not want photographed, as well as numerous other accessories that were being put out in front of the end users to get their opinions.
The next Defense & Security Thailand is in 2009, and the theme is “The Art of Defense”. Date is 4-7 November, 2009 at the Impact Exhibition & Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand. Exhibitors and attendees should start making arrangements now. Bear in mind that the Impact Center is not near downtown Bangkok, so staying in the town center cluster of hotels will lead to long travel times to and from the convention center, but it might be worth it for location. Attendance is free for qualified persons- they must be government or defense business related. It is recommended to start the process of signing up as soon as possible.
www.asiandefense.com
IMPACT Exhibition Center,
Muang Thong Thani
99 Popular Road, Pakkred,
Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2504 5050 Fax: +66 (0) 2504 5050 ext. 5107
| This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V12N4 (January 2009) |
