Thailand deepens reliance on Israeli arms, purchasing anti-drone system from IWI

Thailand has purchased the Arbel computerised anti-drone system from Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), local Globes reported, marking the technology's operational debut in East Asia.

The procurement suggests growing demand in Thailand for Israeli arms. In September, IntelliNews said the Royal Thai Air Force plans to acquire Israel Aerospace Industries' Rampage standoff missiles alongside Elbit Systems' MPR-500 penetration bombs and Lizard III guidance kits.

This followed Thailand’s decision last December to accelerate a deal worth more than $100mn with IAI for the Barak MX air defence system, which marked the country's first acquisition of an Israeli air defence platform.

Bangkok’s decision to retrofit existing weapon inventories builds upon established operational links with IWI, a subsidiary of Sammy Katsav's SK Group, whose Tavor X95, Galil ACE, and Negev platforms were deployed extensively along the Cambodian frontier during recent border frictions.

The transaction, which follows deployments across 25 partner nations, equips existing Royal Thai Armed Forces infantry rifles through a modular lower-receiver replacement.

The plug-and-play mechanism integrates computerised trigger-control technology directly into standard 5.56mm service weapons, mechanically firing the initial round before regulating fire rates automatically to neutralise loitering munitions without requiring external targeting sensors or secondary platforms.

The contract highlights not only a rising East Asian demand for Israeli weapons, but a growing concern among such customers over potential regional security risks, particularly as China-Taiwan tensions simmer.

Recognising this growing demand, Israeli defence industry executives have strengthened engagement with Japanese leaders in the hopes of securing future defence export deals.

Japan is anchoring regional procurement momentum, raising its defence expenditures by 25% over the 2020–2026 cycle from $48bn to $60bn and allocating JPY 1 trillion ($6.4bn) specifically to unmanned systems.