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Home» News»Thailand mulls second frigate order from South Korea’s DSME
HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej Frigate
Royal Thai Navy frigate HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej during IMDEX Asia 2019 in Singapore

Thailand mulls second frigate order from South Korea’s DSME

South Korean Defense Minister Wook Suh met with Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Thailand from December 19th to 21st. Discussions included current security issues in South East Asia, bilateral defense cooperation and procurement of an additional frigate.

Daehan Lee 18 Jan 2022

Daehan Lee story with additional reporting and editing by Xavier Vavasseur

Minister Prayut assessed that the bilateral defense cooperation has been developed continuously based on the Strategic Partnership relations, hoping to expand Thailand’s cooperation with South Korea through military education exchange, combined exercises, and a joint regular consultative group in the army, navy, and air force. 

Minister Suh specifically cited the frigate project in relation to mutual defense cooperation to demonstrate hope that South Korea might actively contribute to the military modernization of Thai forces. The Royal Thai Navy procured in 2013 the 3,650-tonne HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej (FFG 471) frigate from South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (DSME). The vessel was commissioned in January 2019.

Thailand and South Korea seeks to enhance military bonds
Thai and South Korean Ministers

The Thai Minister Prayut responded that Thailand is considering a follow-on order of frigates with South Korea.

“Thailand is willing to expand the defense cooperation with South Korea omnidirectionally as soon as the COVID-19 trend becomes better. We wish to coordinate with South Korea for detailed cooperation by channeling with the Korean Ministry of Defense and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).”


Prayut Chan-o-cha, the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Thailand

The Thai frigate acquisition project started in 2012 and called for the procurement of two modern surface combatants. However the deal for the follow-on frigate had yet to materialize. A DSME source confirmed to Naval News that the follow-on order was likely to be finalized and signed this year.

About HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej

HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej Royal Thai Navy
Royal Thai Navy frigate HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej during IMDEX Asia 2019 in Singapore

HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej is based on DSME’s DW3000F design, itself a development of the Gwanggaeto the Great-class of destroyers in service with the Republic of Korea Navy.

The ship is named after the former Thai King. It was delivered in December 2018 and is now considered as the most powerful naval asset in the Royal Thai Navy.

The vessel is fitted with Saab 9LV combat management system, Sea Giraffe 4A and Sea Giraffe AMB radars by Saab, hull mounted and towed sonars by Atlas Elektronik, a 76mm main gun, 2x 30mm remote controlled guns, 8x Mk. 41 VLS cells (for up to 32 ESSM surface to air missiles), 8x Harpoon anti-ship missiles and 2x triple torpedo launchers.

Main specifications

  • Displacement: 3,700 tons full load
  • Length: 124 meters
  • Beam: 14 meters
  • Draught: 8 meters
  • Maximum speed: 33 knots
  • Endurance: 4,000 nautical miles at 18 knots
  • Crew: 141 sailors

Naval News had the rare chance to tour the ship during IMDEX Asia 2019 in Singapore. Here is our video report:

DSME Royal Thai Navy 2022-01-18
Tags DSME Royal Thai Navy
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Authors

Posted by : Daehan Lee
Daehan Lee currently works for aerospace and defense-related projects in Seoul, also being a political, security affairs researcher writing about inter-Korean naval acquisition and development. He previously worked at the U.S. and Belgian Embassies in Seoul, the People Power Party, and election camps. Prior to his work in politics and foreign affairs, Lee served for the Republic of Korea Navy as an assistant to the Vice Admiral and a translator for Master Chief Petty Officers of the Navy, shortly working at the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Fields of interest include the Asia-Pacific security, defense acquisition, Korean politics and foreign policy.

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