Thales to supply STARStreak to Royal Thai Army
Thales UK will supply the STARStreak air defence missile system to the Royal Thai Army under a contract announced on 15 November. According to the company, the multi-million pound deal was welcomed by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, during his meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra.
The system is comprised of STARStreak missiles – a very-short-range air defence (VSHORAD) missile – and Lightweight Multiple Launchers (LML). The LML tripod-based system allows swift deployment of STARStreak missiles to deal with attacks from low level fighter aircraft, Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) and attack helicopters. Thailand is acquiring the system as part of an ongoing programme to modernise its air defence forces.
The system’s peak velocity of over Mach 3 means it can cover a kilometre in under a second. Targeting and full control of the three dart missiles is maintained by the operator, via the use of a laser beam riding guidance, throughout the entire engagement thus increasing positive target identification and significantly reducing the risk of collateral damage. The system can be deployed from a variety of vehicle platforms such as RAPIDRanger – a highly mobile lightweight platform with the options of both Command and control interfaces and early warning or from the LML.
According to Thales, the STARStreak and LML systems were successfully deployed the London 2012 Olympics, where it formed a core element of the British Army’s air defence capability. The high-profile role of STARStreak in the air security plan for London 2012 has led to increased interest in the system around the world.
Alex Cresswell, vice president for land defence, Thales UK, said: ‘STARStreak is the leading VSHORAD system in the world today, enabling nations to protect key assets against both emerging and established threats. We are delighted by the selection of this system by the Royal Thai Army and will work with our customer to ensure a smooth delivery into-service and through life support.’
More from Land Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026 roundup: uncrewed, counter-uncrewed and new vehicles define direction]()
Eurosatory 2026 roundup: uncrewed, counter-uncrewed and new vehicles define direction
Uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems were a major feature of this edition of Eurosatory 2026 along with programme updates and first sight of new main battle tanks.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: As MGCS stalls, has Europe’s new MBT been unveiled?]()
Eurosatory 2026: As MGCS stalls, has Europe’s new MBT been unveiled?
Eurosatory 2026 saw a number of main battle tanks on display, including two new platforms which could be the future of European tanks.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: MARSS and parent company EOS expand air defence capability]()
Eurosatory 2026: MARSS and parent company EOS expand air defence capability
MARSS became part of EOS Defence earlier this year, bringing together the former’s C2 NiDAR and Nation Shield air defence products with the latter’s suite of effectors and sensors.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Pearson Engineering to send AI mine detecting systems into Ukraine]()
Eurosatory 2026: Pearson Engineering to send AI mine detecting systems into Ukraine
Pearson Engineering’s Threat-Sense system is designed to use imaging from drones to geolocate scattered mines and support uncrewed systems in defeating the threats.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Milrem expands partnerships as it outlines NATO eastern flank defence plans]()
Eurosatory 2026: Milrem expands partnerships as it outlines NATO eastern flank defence plans
In the past three months Milrem Robotics has signed cooperation agreements with Hanwha, EOS Defence Systems and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and at Eurosatory 2026 with CNIM Systèmes Industriels and Frankenburg Technologies. The deals come as the company develops its Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative.
