HTMS Naresuan
 HTMS Naresuan (FFG 421) | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Thailand
| |
| Class and type: | Type 053 frigate |
| Name: | HTMS Naresuan |
| Namesake: | King Naresuan |
| Builder: | China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Shanghai |
| Laid down: | 1991 |
| Launched: | July 1993 |
| Commissioned: | 15 December 1994 |
| Motto: | Valiant, Brave, Fight for the Nation. (องอาจ กล้าหาญ สู้เพื่อชาติ) |
| Status: | In service of 2013 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 2,985 tons full load |
| Length: | 120.5 m |
| Beam: | 13.7 m |
| Draught: | 6 m |
| Propulsion: | 1 × General Electric LM2500+ gas turbine and 2 × MTU 20V1163 TB83 diesel engines, driving two shafts with controllable pitch propellers in CODOG configuration. |
| Speed: | 32 knots (59 km/h) max |
| Range: | 4000 nmi(7408 km) at 18 kn |
| Complement: | 150 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys: | |
| Armament: |
|
| Aircraft carried: | 1 x Super Lynx 300 |
HTMS (His Thai Majesty's Ship) Naresuan (FFG 421), (Thai: นเรศวร) hull number 621, commissioned in 1995, is a modified version of the Chinese-made Type 053 frigate, corporate designed between Royal Thai Navy and China but built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation in Shanghai. Her sister ship, HTMS Taksin was delivered in November 1995. The ships came at 2 billion baht each, much less than the 8 billion baht price tag for Western-built frigates.
When Thailand ordered four new 053 frigates in 1990, China built them to the (then) latest 053H2 (Jianghu III) standard. Two were modified with helicopter decks in the back. Although the price was excellent (2 billion baht each, compared to 8 billion baht for western ships), the Thai Navy complained of quality issues. The interior wiring was exposed and had to be re-wired. The ship's battle damage control system was very limited, with poor fire-suppression system and water-tight locks. It's said that if the ship's hull was breached, rapid flooding would lead to loss of ship. The Thai Navy had to spend considerable time and effort to correct some of these issues.[1]
The harsh criticisms lead to many improvements in China's shipbuilding industry. By the mid-1990s, the Thai Navy was confident enough to order two enlarged 053 hulls (F25T), later named HTMS Naresuan and HTMS Taksin, to be fitted with western engines and weapon systems.
Upgrade
On 3 June 2011, Saab announced[2] that it was awarded a contract for the upgrading of the two Naresuan class frigates. The scope of the upgrade will include Saab's 9LV MK4 combat management system, Sea Giraffe AMB, CEROS 200 fire control radar, EOS 500 electro-optics system and data link systems for communications with the newly acquired Royal Thai Air Force Erieye surveillance aircraft.
On 8 August 2012, DSCA announced[3] Thailand's intention to acquire the Evolved Sea Sparrow missile and associated equipment to upgrade the frigates and a Letter of Offer and Acceptance was signed[4] with Raytheon on 14 January 2013.
On 30 August 2015, ESSM was fired [5] from HTMS Naresuan during Exercise CARAT 2015
References
- ↑ "NARESUAN (TYPE 25T) (FFG)". GlobalSecurity.org.
- ↑ "Saab receives order from Thailand regarding the upgrading of combat management system and fire control systems". Saab. 3 June 2011.
- ↑ "Thailand – Evolved SEASPARROW Missiles (ESSM)". DSCA. 8 August 2012.
- ↑ "Royal Thai Navy joins nations using Evolved SeaSparrow Missile". Raytheon. 14 January 2013.
- ↑ "Thailand fired ESSM from its Chinese-made Type 053 frigate for first time". 30 August 2015.