The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has unveiled a domestically developed loitering munition, referred to as the “Kamikaze UAV”, marking a step forward in Thailand’s defence modernization. The announcement was made on July 5, 2025, following a series of successful field trials.
The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), designed to engage targets with high precision, is equipped with a high-explosive warhead capable of striking medium-range targets within a five-meter margin of error. The drone is intended for one-way missions, detonating on impact.
This development reflects ongoing efforts to enhance Thailand’s defence self-reliance. The drone was conceptualized and engineered entirely by Thai personnel, representing a collaborative effort between the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Thai Air Force Academy, the Aerospace Science and Technology Research and Development Centre, and the RTAF Ordnance Department.
According to the RTAF, the UAV’s successful testing paves the way for its transition to serial production and operational deployment, with the goal of reinforcing national security and territorial defence.
Senior officers from the involved institutions were present at the unveiling event, underscoring institutional support for the programme.
