Japan is seeking to supply Thailand with air defense radar built by Mitsubishi Electric Corp 12712162

Defence & Security News - Japan
 
Japan is seeking to supply Thailand with air defense radar built by Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
Japan is seeking to win a contract to supply Thailand with an air defense radar system built by Mitsubishi Electric Corp, as it looks to counter growing Chinese influence in the Southeast Asian nation, according to four Japanese government officials and one industry source. (Source JapanToday)
     
Japan is seeking to win a contract to supply Thailand with an air defense radar system built by Mitsubishi Electric Corp, as it looks to counter growing Chinese influence in the Southeast Asian nation, according to four Japanese government officials and one industry source. Mitsubishi Electric Halle in Düsseldorf, Alemanha.
     
Japan expects the Thai military government to begin accepting competitive bids as early as next year as it upgrades and adds to its existing U.S. and European radar systems, the sources said.

The value of such a contract is unclear as the specifications for the system have not yet been released. Radar systems built by Mitsubishi and other companies for Japan can stretch to hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the complexity and coverage. The sources said Japan would look to offer a lower price system because of Thailand’s limited defense budget.

The radar Japan proposes for the deal is a variant on Mitsubishi Electric’s fixed-position FSP-3 radar, an older generation system that has been used by Japan’s Self Defense Forces to detect air threats, the sources said.

In 2015, Japan bans arms exports with the goal to become a key player in the international arms market. The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has given the go-ahead for Japanese firms to compete internationally for arms contracts.

The entry of Japan into the international arms market could change the global economy in this sector. It will also upset the status quo among defense exporters, as Japan will carve a niche among American, Chinese, European and Russian firms.