Reply With QuoteMy first reaction was Thailand has an aircraftcarrier? Then I read the wiki and realised that they don't have any aircraft capable of using it. This make no sense at all..
Modernizing aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet
Jun 26th, 2012 (navaltoday.com)
The defence and security company Saab has received an order from the Royal Thai Navy for the upgrading of the command and control system on the aircraft carrier H.T.M.S. Chakri Naruebet. The order amounts to MSEK 180.
The contract involve upgrading the aircraft carrier with the latest generation of command and control system, 9LV Mk4. Saab will also supply data-link equipment to the ship, which will allow communication between the ship and the Royal Thai Air Force’s Gripen fighter aircraft and the airborne radar system Erieye, carried by the Saab 340 AEW.
“Saab will further strengthen its position as supplier to the Royal Thai Navy through the upgrade of the command and control system on the Navy’s flagship. Saab is now on the Navy’s three major vessels and with links to the Royal Thai Air Force’s Gripen and Erieye, capabilities and resources can used more efficiently,” says Gunilla Fransson, Head of Saab‘s Business Area Security and Defence Solutions.
Saab is the main contractor to the Royal Thai Navy, and as well as supply of its own systems, its tasks will include procurement of third-party systems and responsibility for integration of all existing and new systems. “This is the second 9LV Mk4 contract signed between the Royal Thai Navy and Saab. It further strengthens Saab’s position in the country, which we are proud of,” says Gunilla Fransson.
The contract mainly concerns the Security and Defence Solutions business area as the supplier of the command and control system. The Electronic Defence Systems business area will supply the Sea Giraffe AMB surveillance radar system as well as data-link equipment for communication with Gripen and the Erieye airborne early warning systems. The contract will run between 2012 and 2015.
Source: http://navaltoday.com/2012/06/26/saa...akri-naruebet/
What about the armament of the ship? Together with A12 Sao Paulo they are the most vulnerable big ships in the world, it is characteristic thet their armament consists of machine guns and mistral launchers.. Chakri Naurebet has even provision for Mk41 VLS and 3-4 CIWS but is not fitted with them.
From wiki: Chakri Naruebet is usually only operational for a single day per month for training, with the rest of the time spent alongside as a "part-time tourist attraction". The ship rarely leaves the proximity of the Sattahip naval base, and when she does, it is usually to transport and host the Royal Family of Thailand. Naval commentators consider Chakri Naruebet to be less an aircraft carrier and more the world's most expensive royal yacht, while the Thai media have nicknamed the ship "Thai-tanic", and consider her to be a white elephant. The only operation she did is for flood relief. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTMS_Chakri_Naruebet
My first reaction was Thailand has an aircraftcarrier? Then I read the wiki and realised that they don't have any aircraft capable of using it. This make no sense at all..
Wow, I never knew Thailand got an aircraft carrier.
Although it's nothing but a object of prestige, it's extremely surprising. I wonder if they start to modernize the armament as well, especially with the Chinese threat on the horizon.
They bought few secondhand first generation Harriers with ship from Spain. AV-8S's were almost finalized by the time Thailand bought 'em, last of those was retired in 2006.Originally Posted by Sniffit
You aren't alone with that feeling.
It's a cute little thing, are there any plans on buying the F-35B for it?
But still they have 71.000 men, which is a pretty big navy.
Why the hell are they upgrading it, all they use it for is as a cruise ship for their royals.
Makes them feel good about themselves.
why has Thailand kept an aircraft carrier....they barely use it
It seems the Royal Thai Navy started a program of modernization. That includes the introdiuction of a similar with the Endurance class landing ship, upgrade of the Naresuan class with VLS and other modifications, upgrade of two of the Chao Phraya class, four OPV, small patrol boats, new helicopters, possible purchase of 6x Type 206 submarines or other type etc.
yeah but don't forget what hapened between when they ordered it and when it became operational
At the time of ordering Thailand was an "Asian Tiger" with a surging economy, then the original Asian Financial Crisis (something that has become a lot more global of late....) hit and they all of a sudden couldn't afford to operate what they had already ordered.
That is how it became the white elephant it is today
To be fair, despite it's maligned reputation due to lack of use and the ski-jump becoming largely cosmetic, there's no reason Chakri Naruebet can't be used as a very capable helicopter carrier (with sufficient funding and equipment).
Info and some photos of the Thai aircraft carrier: http://defense-studies.blogspot.nl/2...e-of-seas.html
Sort of appropriate as the naval ensign of the Royal Thai Navy is, of all things, a white elephant.
^^ I was expecting a comment from you sir!
True on the economic melt down, but still getting aircraft carrier was bit outside of reality for Thailand. The thing that doesn't make sense is not getting sustainable air wing at same time it was ordered. The ex-Spanish Harriers were essentially out of flight hours and since late 90's Thailands economy did pretty well.
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