On July 8, 2026, the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence hosted THAIDEF-EX 2026, the Thailand Defence Industry Exhibition, at the Multipurpose Building on Si Saman premises. The event featured innovations and research from the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), part of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). It highlighted technologies relevant to both security and civilian sectors, emphasizing the theme “Power of Self-Reliance.” The exhibition ran from July 8 to 10, 2026.
The opening ceremony took place on July 8, 2026, with Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, presiding. Attendees included Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; Ms. Suphajee Suthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce; Lieutenant General Adul Boonthumjaroen, Minister of Defence; and Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry.
Dr. Worawarong Rakreungdet, Deputy Executive Director of NSTDA; Dr. Ekkarut Viyanit, Deputy Executive Director of MTEC, NSTDA; and executives from agencies under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) welcomed participants to the event.
MTEC’s exhibits featured research and innovations in materials technology, engineering, design, and manufacturing for defense and dual-use applications. They focused on enhancing personnel safety and the safety of troop transport vehicles, as well as improving the operational performance of defence equipment. The featured innovations included:
Ballistic protection materials and equipment: Research and development of ballistic protection materials and equipment apply expertise in ceramic–metal and polymer composites to develop strong, lightweight product prototypes suitable for a wide range of platforms. The solutions provide NIJ Levels III and III+ ballistic protection.
Application of materials technology to improve the performance and safety of defense equipment: Expertise in materials science, reverse engineering, and reliability engineering is used to analyze and develop materials, components, and systems. This helps reduce the risk of in-service failure while improving the performance, safety, and reliability of defense equipment for missions requiring high levels of readiness and safety.
Application of design technology in defence equipment development: Engineering design, materials technology, and manufacturing expertise are integrated to develop prototypes and innovations that meet operational needs and support the advancement of technologies for national security under the dual-use technology concept.
MTEC also presented the capabilities of its Failure Analysis and Reliability Engineering (FARE) Research Team, which specializes in materials technology, engineering problem-solving through failure analysis, and systematic engineering design. For more than 10 years, the team has applied its knowledge and experience to support national security missions. It has also strengthened the capabilities of Thailand’s key manufacturing industries, in line with the dual-use technology concept.
