Enhancing the Capabilities of the Royal Thai Navy through Case Studies of Foreign Maritime Strategies
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Abstract
The enhancement of the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) capabilities is an outcome of the strategic formulation process articulated in the 20-Year Royal Thai Navy Strategy (2017–2036), expressed through the concept of Programmed Forces. This force structure is designed to support the RTN’s maritime defense missions effectively under both peacetime and conflict conditions. Capability enhancement in accordance with the programmed force structure is of critical importance, as its implementation requires substantial financial investment. Consequently, the strategic formulation process aimed at defining the programmed forces must be undertaken with careful consideration and continuous assessment of all relevant factors.
Since fiscal year 2019, Thailand has been significantly affected by the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has imposed direct budgetary constraints on the enhancement of capabilities in accordance with the programmed force structure. These unforeseen circumstances have necessitated a reconsideration of the existing strategy and the exploration of alternative force structure options under constrained fiscal conditions. As a result, the RTN may be required to review its strategic framework and reassess force structure alternatives in response to budgetary limitations arising from unexpected external shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this context, a study of Australia’s maritime strategy offers valuable insights, as Australia employs a well-defined and transparent strategic formulation process encompassing force structure determination, capability development, explicit budgetary allocation, and readiness preparation. The findings from this case study can be utilized to conduct a comparative analysis with the RTN’s strategic planning process. Such analysis may inform the review and refinement of the RTN’s strategy and the evaluation of alternative programmed force structures, thereby enabling the RTN to better align its strategic direction with a dynamically changing security environment in a more effective and sustainable manner.
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