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Thai Navy Deploys MARCUS B Drone to Secure Naval Operations in Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea.
The annual naval exercise of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) for 2025 began on February 13 at Laem Thian Klang Pier, Sattahip Port, located at Sattahip Naval Base in Chonburi Province. This opening ceremony featured the presentation of new military equipment designed, developed, and manufactured by the Thai defense industry, including the MARCUS-B (2024) maritime reconnaissance drone, also known as MARCUS-C. This vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (VTOL UAV) is part of the third generation of the Maritime Aerial Reconnaissance Craft Unmanned System (MARCUS), specifically designed for naval operations.
This deployment of the MARCUS-B comes in a strategic context marked by increasing regional tensions and a growing need for maritime surveillance (Picture source: SDTcomposites)
The MARCUS-B was developed by the Naval Research and Development Office (NRDO) of the Royal Thai Navy in collaboration with several local private companies, including Oceanus Research and Development (Thailand), X-Treme Composites (Thailand), and BJSupply 2017 (Thailand). This maritime patrol drone measures 2.8 meters in length with a wingspan of 4.8 meters and has a maximum take-off weight of 50 kg. It can reach a cruising speed of 50 to 70 knots, with an operational ceiling of 5,000 meters above sea level. Its flight endurance ranges from 4 to 6 hours, and it can carry a payload of 8 kg. A complete system includes two drone airframes and one Ground Control Station (GCS).
During the opening ceremony, the MARCUS-B performed take-off and landing maneuvers on the helicopter decks of the HTMS Chao Phraya-class frigates and HTMS Sai Buri. This drone operates in coordination with the Schiebel Camcopter S-100 from Squadron 104, Wing 1, of the Royal Thai Naval Air Division (RTNAD), enhancing the fleet's maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
During the demonstration, the MARCUS-B was used to designate targets in support of the 130mm Type 59-I horizontal-trajectory gun operated by the Air and Coastal Defense Command (ACDC) as part of the Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC) task force aboard the Marsun M18 Fast Assault Boat (F.51). In parallel, amphibious vehicles were also presented, including the AWAV (Armoured Wheeled Amphibious Vehicle) 8x8 and the AAV7A1 RAM/RS vehicle, developed, manufactured, and modified by Chaiseri Metal & Rubber Co. Ltd. These vehicles enhance the capability for troop deployment and amphibious operations of both the navy and the Royal Thai Marine Corps.
Other equipment was demonstrated, such as the Airbus Helicopters H145M transport helicopter and the SH-60B Seahawk anti-submarine helicopter, which participated in a marine pollution control operation in coordination with the tugboats HTMS Samae San and HTMS Tachai. The Royal Thai Navy plans to equip five major operational island zones along its maritime borders and 18 ships with MARCUS-B drones, with further acquisitions planned for the future.
This deployment of the MARCUS-B comes in a strategic context marked by increasing regional tensions and a growing need for maritime surveillance. Thailand aims to strengthen control over its territorial waters in response to foreign incursions, illegal activities such as unauthorized fishing and smuggling, and potential threats from non-state actors. In this context, the MARCUS-B provides enhanced detection and tracking capabilities for maritime movements, ensuring faster and more precise responses to crises.
The 2025 annual naval exercise following this ceremony will also include a combined arms live fire exercise (CALFEX) between the Marine Corps and the Royal Thai Navy. The Thai fleet, including the HTMS Chakri Naruebet aircraft carrier, will participate in these drills to improve coordination between various military branches. A live fire exercise involving the Mistral surface-to-air missile is also scheduled, marking its return to active use after a prolonged period of inactivity.
This opening ceremony of the 2025 annual naval exercise highlights the Thai Navy’s increasing capabilities in maritime surveillance, amphibious operations, and joint-force coordination. The integration of indigenous technologies such as the MARCUS-B drone reflects the country's objective to enhance strategic autonomy and optimize its defense capabilities in the region.