Army Commander Discusses Enhanced Military Cooperation with USARPAC Commander at LANPAC 2026 Conference
Thailand and the U.S. agreed to deepen military cooperation through expanded training programs and support for Thailand's Stryker unit capabilities during bilateral talks at the LANPAC 2026 conference. The discussions built on existing join
On May 15, 2569, General Panya Khlaewplodtuk, Commander of the Royal Thai Army (CTA), attended the third day of the Land Forces Pacific (LANPAC) conference. In the morning, he held bilateral discussions with General Ronald P. Clark, Commander of the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), to strengthen military cooperation between the two nations.
Both sides agreed to develop and enhance training and educational programs beyond their existing joint exercises under the Cobra Gold and Hanuman Guardian frameworks, which continue to be elevated. They also discussed future training initiatives, including jungle warfare operations. Additionally, the Thai Army outlined plans to expand its Stryker unit capabilities, which received commendation and promised support from the U.S. side.
In the afternoon, General Panya attended a demonstration exercise featuring infantry units conducting tactical assaults with live ammunition, accompanied by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and counter-UAV operations. The event also showcased advanced weapons systems, including the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from the United States, demonstrating the operational capabilities of the U.S. Army forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
The LANPAC 2026 conference serves as an important platform for strengthening military cooperation between Thailand and the United States across training, education, and military capability development, aimed at addressing the evolving security landscape and emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
