Analysts say BrahMos could boost Thailand’s deterrence at sea and give it more options as tensions with Cambodia persist
4-MIN READ4-MIN ListenMaria SiowPublished: 4:01pm, 13 Aug 2026Thailand’s possible acquisition of a supersonic cruise missile from India would help the Southeast Asian country defend its interests against Cambodia and could even fuel a “mini-arms race” between the two neighbours, analysts have said.The BrahMos system could strengthen Thailand’s deterrence at sea while giving Bangkok more options as tensions with Cambodia persist and neighbouring navies modernise, they add.
Several defence-focused news outlets have reported that Thailand is evaluating the purchase of India’s BrahMos missiles as part of efforts to upgrade its military capabilities.
The reported interest followed the 10th Thailand-India Defence Dialogue in Bangkok in June, where both sides pledged to deepen cooperation in defence manufacturing after elevating their bilateral ties last year.
The BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from ships, submarines, aircraft or land-based platforms, making it attractive to navies seeking to complicate an adversary’s operations near coastlines, choke points and disputed waters.
