Bangkok: "Killer drones" have been deployed along the Thai-Cambodian border as tensions escalate, with preparations underway for a potential third conflict. The Royal Thai Army is accelerating mass production of these drones, equipped with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.
According to Thai News Agency, the unveiling of suicide FPV drones and bombing drones took place at the Rajamanu Task Force base in Tak province. Colonel Natthakorn Ruentip, Chief of Staff of the 4th Infantry Regiment and commander of the Phoenix unit, highlighted the army's readiness to handle future conflicts. This includes training additional drone operators and enhancing the drones' survivability against threats. Efforts are being made to overcome challenges posed by signal jamming devices and to develop drones superior to those of the opposing side. AI technology plays a crucial role in enhancing efficiency and countering signal interference.
Colonel Nattakorn emphasized that the Royal Thai Army is fully supporting the operation with a substantial budget, with components costing over 500,000 baht. The operation has been deemed cost-effective, achieving its objectives against armored vehicles, enemy positions, and signal jamming. The high demand for these drones necessitates their increased production, ensuring sufficient pilots for each responsible area. The Royal Thai Army is prioritizing deployment across all regions, ready to respond promptly to threats, as demonstrated by the Thai-Cambodian border situation. Plans are also underway to establish a drone command center.
Colonel Nattakorn stated that the Phoenix team has trained over 400 drone pilots across 11 generations, with ongoing integrated training involving the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Police. Their missions focus on destruction, tactical adjustments, and technical maneuvers. The unit is prepared for deployment should a third clash occur on the Thai-Cambodian border, with existing drone pilots being further developed and new models produced.
Colonel Nattakorn highlighted the necessity of continuous drone development due to rapidly changing technology. His tactical unit is required to adapt constantly to maintain operational stability. Despite some drones malfunctioning during 20 days of operations in the Thai-Cambodian border area, their ability to repair them is considered a strength.
In addition to combat roles, these drones are utilized in the 3rd Army Region for non-combat purposes, such as combating scammers and assisting the public. However, combating scammers remains a challenge due to neighboring countries' inability to enforce their laws comprehensively.