Naresuan-class frigate

The Naresuan-class frigate (Thai: ชุดเรือหลวงนเรศวร) is an enlarged modified version of the Chinese-made Type 053 frigate with Western weaponry, cooperatively designed by the Royal Thai Navy and China but built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation in Shanghai. The ships came at 2 billion baht each, less than the 8 billion baht claimed price tag for Western-built frigates.

HTMS Naresuan (FFG 421)
Class overview
BuildersChina State Shipbuilding Corporation, Shanghai
Operators Royal Thai Navy
Preceded byPhutthayotfa Chulalok class
Succeeded byBhumibol Adulyadej class
SubclassesType 053 frigate
Built1991–1995
In commission1994–present
Completed2
Active2
General characteristics
TypeFrigate
Displacement2,985 tons full load
Length120.5 m
Beam13.7 m
Draught6 m
Propulsion
Speed32 knots (59 km/h) max
Range4000 nmi (7408 km) at 18 kn
Complement150
Sensors and
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • ESM ITT ES-3601 (AN/SLQ-4)
  • ECM Type 984-1 noise jammer & Type 981-3 deception jammer
  • Decoys Terma SKWS (C-Guard)
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × Super Lynx 300

Ships in the class

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Name Number Builder Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Status
HTMS Naresuan 421 China State Shipbuilding Corporation July 1993 15 December 1994 Active
HTMS Taksin 422 China State Shipbuilding Corporation 1994 28 September 1995 Active

Upgrade

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On 3 June 2011, Saab announced 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.[1]

References

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  1. ^ "Saab receives order from Thailand regarding the upgrading of combat management system and fire control systems". Saab. 3 June 2011. Archived from the original on 15 November 2011.
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  Media related to Naresuan Class Frigates at Wikimedia Commons