- Royal Thai Navy
-
Royal Thai Navy
กองทัพเรือ, ราชนาวี
(RTGS: Kongthap Ruea, Ratcha Navy)
Emblem of the Royal Thai NavyActive 1900 Country 
ThailandBranch Royal Thai Marine Corps
Royal Thai Navy SEALsType Navy Size 71,000 Active personnel
Royal Thai Navy
53,000 Active personnel
Marine (Naval) Infantry
18,000 Active personnelPart of Royal Thai Armed Forces Garrison/HQ Bangkok Motto ร่วมเครือนาวี จักยลปฐพีไพศาล (Join the Navy to see the world) Colors Navy blue Engagements Franco-Siamese War
French-Thai War (Battle of Koh Chang)
Greater East Asia War
Korean War
Palace Rebellion
Manhattan RebellionCommanders Commander-in-chief Admiral Surasak Runroengrom Notable
commandersPrince Abhakara, the Prince of Chumphon
Luang SinthusongkhramchaiInsignia Royal Thai Navy Flag 
Naval Jack and Unit Colour 
Naval Ensign 
The Royal Thai Navy (Thai: กองทัพเรือ) is the navy of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, it was established in the late 19th century. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse (1880–1923) is "The Father of Royal Thai Navy". Similar to the organizational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the Naval Fleet, and the Royal Thai Marine Corps. The Royal Thai Navy operates out of Sattahip Naval Base. Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country which operates an Aircraft Carrier.
The Royal Thai Navy operates in three Naval Area Commands:
- First Naval Area Command: responsible for the Northern part of Gulf of Thailand
- Second Naval Area Command: responsible for the Southern part of Gulf of Thailand
- Third Naval Area Command: responsible for the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean)
The Royal Thai Navy also has two air wings, operating 40 fixed wing aircraft and 30 helicopters from Utapao, Songkhla and Phuket. The First Royal Thai Navy wing has 4 squadrons and the Second Royal Thai Navy wing has 3 squadrons. Moreover, the Royal Thai Navy also consists of 1 Royal Thai Marine Corps division, 1 Air and Coastal Defense Division, Royal Thai Navy SEALs and 1 Riverine Patrol Regiment.
The United States Navy and Royal Thai Navy conduct the annual joint operation Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT). CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Philippines.
Contents
History
Main article: Military history of ThailandCommand and Control
The Royal Thai Navy is commanded by the Commander of the Royal Thai Navy currently Admiral Khamthorn Pumhiran, who was appointed in 2008. The Royal Thai Navy Headquarters is located in Derm Palace, Wang Derm Road, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Commander-in-Chief: Admiral Surasak Runroengrom
- Deputy Commander-in-Chief: Admiral Weerapon Kitsombat
- Assistant Commander-in-Chief: Admiral Amorntep Na Bangchang
- Chief of Staff of the Navy: Admiral Damrongsak Hoajarhun
List of Commanders
Main article: List of Commanders of the Royal Thai NavyCurrent strength
Combatant Vessels
Type/Class Country of Origin Quantity Name Note Aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet 
Spain1 HTMS Chakri Naruebet Based on the Spanish Navy's Principe de Asturias design Frigates Knox class 
United States2 Naresuan class 
China/ Thailand2 - HTMS Naresuan
- HTMS Taksin
Mid-Life Upgraded on progress with installing 8 x Mk41 VLS for RIM-162 ESSM, Saab's 9LV MK4 CMS, Sea Giraffe AMB, CEROS 200 fire control radar, EOS 500 electro-optics system, New CIWS and data link systems Chao Phraya class China4 - HTMS Chao Phraya
- HTMS Bangpakong
- HTMS Kraburi
- HTMS Saiburi
Modernized Jianghu-class. HTMS Kraburi and HTMS Saiburi are during Mid-Life Upgraded with Type 360 Radar (SR-60A) with improved IFF, New CMS, NG12-1 Twin-barrel 100mm Naval Gun, TR47C Tracking Radar, 8 x C802A missiles [1] HTMS Makut Rajakumarn 
United Kingdom1 HTMS Makut Rajakumarn Currently used as Offshore Patrol Vessel and/or training role Cannon class DE United States1 HTMS Pin Klao Former USS Hemminger (DE-746). Currently used as training ship Offshore Patrol Vessel Pattani class China/ Thailand2 - HTMS Pattani (No.511)
- HTMS Narathiwat (No.512)
Corvette Ratanakosin class United States2 - HTMS Ratanakosin
- HTMS Sukhothai
US built PFMM Mk.16 class. During upgraded Electronic systems. Khamrosin class Thailand3 - HTMS Kamronsin
- HTMS Thaychanon
- HTMS Longlom
Tapi class United States2 - HTMS Tapi
- HTMS Khirirat
US built PF103 Type Other Vessels
- Fast Attack Craft-Missile (FAC-M): 6
- Fast Attack Craft-Gun (FAC-G): 3
- Patrol boats: 62
- Amphibious assault vehicle: 14, including 1 LPD (on order), 2 LST, 2 LCU, 9 LCT
- Mine Counter Measure Vessels: 18
- Mekong River Patrol Boats: ~200 (Including 40 Mk.II class PBR)
- Fleet support ships: 21
Coastal Defense Command was formed in 1992 under the control of the Royal Fleet Headquarters, with one coastal defense regiment (equipped with 155 mm artillery) and one air defense regiment (equipped with 40 mm and 37 mm anti-aircraft guns as well as HN-5A MANPADs). Personnel were initially drawn from the Royal Thai Marine Corps but are now being recruited directly. The First Coastal Defense Regiment is based near the Marine Corps facility at Sattahip. The First Air Defense Regiment near the Naval Air Wing at Utapao. Coastal Defense Command was greatly expanded in 1992, following the government's decision in 1988 to charge the RTN with the responsibility of defending the entire Eastern Seaboard and Southern Seaboard Development Project. The Second Air Defense Regiment, based at Songkhla, was then formed on the following year. Some analysts believe this element will eventually grow to a strength of up to 15,000[2].
- The First Air Defense Regiment; to perform an Anti-aircraft warfare on Northern Gulf of Thailand with 3 Anti-aircraft Battalions.
- The Second Air Defense Regiment; to perform an Anti-aircraft warfare on Southern Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea with 3 Anti-aircraft Battalions.
- The First Coastal Defense Regiment, having 3 Artillery Battalions.
- 2 Air and Coastal Defense Command and Control Centers.
- Air and Coastal Defense Supporting Regiment; 1 transportation battalion, 1 communication battalion, 1 maintenance battalion.
- Equipment
- QW-18 MANPADs.
- Modified PL-9 Surface-to-air missiles.
- Type 74, twin 37 mm Anti-aircraft Artillery
- Bofors 40L60 and 40L70 40 mm Anti-aircraft Artillery
- Type 59-I 130mm towed field artilleries
- GHN-45 towed howitzers
List of equipment
Royal Thai Navy AAV-7A1 amphibious assault vehicles, during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008
The majority of the vessels of the Royal Thai Navy are from the United States (nearly half, over 50 of RTN's 130+ vessels). However, RTN also has craft from Spain, Britain, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Canada, Netherlands, People's Republic of China and Australia. Additionally, Thailand does produce many of their own vessels, in particular those of smaller displacement.
Main article: List of equipment in Royal Thai NavyNews
News about Thai Navy procurement project
Main Fleet
- Mid-Life Upgrading Naresuan Class FFG - On 3 June 2011, Saab announced[3] 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.
- Submarine Procurement - On April 2011, Royal Thai Navy had allocated 7,700 Millions THB in order to acquire 6 used and modernized Type 206 A submarines from German Navy[4]. However, an approval from cabinet is still be pending regarding to dissolution of parliament on May 2011[5].
- New Offshore Patrol Vessels - On Q4 2009, Royal Thai Navy had announced the construction of a 2000 tons, 75m long OPV based on BAE Systems Surface Ships's Port of Spain class corvette[6] [7] [8]. The total requirement of Royal Thai Navy is another 3 OPVs, based on this design, to be constructed in Thailand. The new OPV will be equipped with Otobreda 76 mm/62 Super Rapid main gun, 2 x DS-30M 30 mm Cannon, and 2x .50 MG with the projection to be equipped with SSM when needed[9].
- New anti-ship missile - Royal Thai Navy has announced it wishes to purchase a C-802 to replace C-801 on Chao Phraya-class Frigate. The deal also includes the upgrade of Radar, Electronic Warfare, etc. RTN also aims to buy LY-60 SAM, if funds are allocated.[10]
- New LPD - The Thai Cabinet approved a package of defense modernization deals in a meeting on 9 September 2008. This clears the RTN to purchase an LPD to be designed and built by ST Marine of Singapore, believed to be based on the Endurance-class LPD. The ship will be delivered in 2012 at a cost of around US$150million.[11]. The HTMS Angthong (791) was launched on the 21 March 2011.
RTN Flying Unit
- New tactical transport helicopter - United States announces the permission to sell 6 MH-60S Navy Hawks to Thai Navy to enhance search and rescue capability. RTN already signed a contact for 2 units and the other 4 will be procured year by year[12]. According to the news on 4 Dec 2007, RTN decided to launch a plan to buy 14 new helicopters. These include four MH-60S and an additional four Super Lynx 300s. The RTN also plan to buy an attack helicopter to replace the AV-8S while still keeping the option open for a fixed-wing aircraft.[13]
- VIP and MEDEVAC aircraft - Royal Thai Army and Royal Thai Navy signed a contact with Embraer to purchase 2 ERJ-135. 1 aircraft to each force to be used for VIP transportation. RTN version also have a MEDEVAC capability.[14]
RTN Marine Corps and SEALs
- New APC - RTN signed contact to procure 12 BTR-3 from Ukraine. This would add to V-150 currently in service in Royal Thai Marine Corps.[15]
Indigenous Product
- Small patrol ship - By The King initiated, Thai Navy build and commissions its new patrol crafts T.991 Class. The first ship, T.991, was built in the Royal Thai Navy Dock. Another 2, T.992 and T.993, was built by Mason Shipbuilding in Thailand. These ships also inspected and evaluated closely by The King who gave many ideas to this project. He and The Queen also lead the commissioning ceremony on 30 April 2007.[16] Project to build T.994 - T.996 are underway.
- Local-build OPV - On 11 November 2008, Cabinet approves the plan to build RTN's new offshore patrol vessel (OPV) in the deal worth 3 billion Baht. ($USD 85 million) Although RTN still did not unveil the design, the vessel will be built in Mahidol dockyard in Thailand.[17]
- Underwater craft - Naval Research & Development Office of Royal Thai Navy has awarded contacts to Bangkok Dockyard Co., Ltd. to build an Underwater craft. The craft is 20 tons in displacement and cost 5 million Bath.[18]
Ships and Boats of the RTN
- HTMS Bangpakong (FFG 456)
- HTMS Chakri Naruebet (CV911)
- HTMS Chao Praya (FFG 455)
- HTMS Chonburi (FAC 331)
- HTMS Hanhak Sudtru (FAC 312)
- HTMS Hua Hin (PC 541)
- HTMS Kamronsin (FS 531)
- HTMS Kangtang (PC 524)
- HTMS Khirirat (FF 432) (FF 432 is PF-108)
- HTMS Klang (PC 542)
- HTMS Klongyai (PC 522)
- HTMS Kraburi (FFG 457)
- HTMS Long Lom (FS 532)
- HTMS Makut Rajakumarn (FF 433)
- HTMS Narathiwat (OPV 512)
- HTMS Naresuan (FFG 421)
- HTMS Pattani (OPV 511)
- HTMS Phuket (FAC 333)
- HTMS Phutthaloetla Naphalai (FFG 462) (FFG 462 is ex-USS Ouellet (FF-1077))
- HTMS Phutthayotfa Chulalok (FFG 461) (FFG 461 is ex-USS Truett (FF-1095))
- HTMS Pin Klao (FF 413) (USS Hemminger (DE-746))
- HTMS Prabbrorapak (FAC 311)
- HTMS Rajcharit (FAC 321)
- HTMS Rattanakosin (FS 441)
- HTMS Saiburi (FFG 458)
- HTMS Sattahip (PC 521)
- HTMS Songkla (FAC 332)
- HTMS Soo Pirin (FAC 313)
- HTMS Sriracha (PC 5423)
- HTMS Sukhothai (FS 442)
- HTMS Takbai (PC 523)
- HTMS Taksin (FFG 422)
- HTMS Tapi (FF 431) (FF 431 is PF-107)
- HTMS Tayanchon (FS 532)
- HTMS Theai Mueang (PC 526)
- HTMS Thepa (PC 525)
- HTMS U-domdej (FAC 323)
- HTMS Vitiyakom (FAC 322)
See also
- Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse Prince of Chumphon
- Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters
- Military of Thailand
- Royal Thai Army
- Royal Thai Air Force
- Royal Thai Marine Corps
- Military ranks of the Thai armed forces
- Royal Thai Naval Academy
References
- ^ http://www.navy.mi.th/namo/images/stories/ships/Chopic.JPG
- ^ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/thailand/acdc.htm
- ^ "Saab receives order from Thailand regarding the upgrading of combat management system and fire control systems". Saab. 3 June 2011. http://www.saabgroup.com/About-Saab/Newsroom/Press-releases--News/2011---6/Saab-receives-order-from-Thailand-regarding-upgrading-of-combat-management-and-fire-control-systems/.
- ^ http://news.sanook.com/1018441-กองทัพเรือเตรียมซื้อเรือดำน้ำ-คาดประจำการปี-56.html
- ^ http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/237371/navy-to-put-guards-on-thai-cargo-ships
- ^ http://thaimilitary.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/rtn-yet-another-opv-from-bvt-surface-fleet-and-more-of-t-994-996/
- ^ http://www.navy.mi.th/sctr/sound/2552/jun/snd_290652.php
- ^ http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2009/11/thales-launched-detection-for-thailand.html
- ^ http://thaimilitary.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/rtn-yet-another-opv-from-bvt-surface-fleet-and-more-of-t-994-996/
- ^ Thai Military Blog C-802 for Thai frigates
- ^ DefenseNews.com Thailand Plans $191.3M Arms Purchase
- ^ Defense Industry Daily Up to $246M for 6 Royal Thai Navy MH-60S Helicopters
- ^ Channel News Asia Thai Navy to buy 14 new aircraft
- ^ Embraer Press Release Embraer sign contracts with the Royal Thai Army and the Royal Thai Navy
- ^ Embraer Naval Science 92nd year. 2nd issue. Febburary 2009. ISSN 0125-4324.
- ^ Thai Military Blog ต.๙๙๑ เรือรบตามพระราชดำริ...ของกองทัพเรือไทย (Thai)
- ^ Matichon Online ครม.อนุมัติงบกว่า 3 พันล้าน ถอยเรือตรวจการใหม่ (Thai)
- ^ OA Military Book กองทัพเรือจัดสร้างยานใต้น้ำลำแรกของไทย
External links
Royal Armed Forces of ThailandBranches 
Command Ministry of Defence · Royal Thai Armed Forces HQ · Chief of the Defence Forces · Commander of the Army · Commander of the Navy · Commander of the Air ForceUnits Royal Guards · Thahan Phran · Army Reserve Force Students · Royal Thai Marine Corps · Royal Thai Navy SEALs · Air Force Special Operations · Border Patrol PoliceAcademies Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School · National Defence College · Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy · Phramongkutklao College of Medicine · Royal Thai Airforce Academy · Royal Thai Naval AcademyOthers Categories:
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
