thumb|HTMS Chakri Naruebetthumb|HTMS Phutthaloetla Naphalaithumb|HTMS NaresuanThe
Royal Thai Navy () is the navy of
Thailand and part of the
Royal Thai Armed Forces, it was established in the late 1800s. 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.
The Royal Thai Navy operates in three Naval Area Commands: Eastern
Gulf of Thailand (First NAC), Western Gulf of Thailand (Second NAC), and the
Andaman Sea (
Indian Ocean) (Third NAC). The RTN also has two air wings, located at
Utapao (RTN First Air Wing) and
Songkhla (RTN Second Air Wing).
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.
History
Command 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.
List of Commanders
Current strength
Surface Combatant Vessels
- *2 Phutthayotfa Chulaok class - ex-USN Knox class
- *2 Naresuan (Type 25T) FFG - Chinese Jianghu-class Type IV
- *4 Chao Phraya FFG - Chinese Jianghu-class
- *1 Pin Klao Class (Cannon class) destroyer escort
- *1 Makut Rajakumarn Class (Yarrow Class)
Fleet Support Vessels
- Mine Counter Measure Vessels: 7
RTN Flying Unit
thumb|A Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Sikorsky S-76B helicopter, during
CARAT 2001.
RTN Flying Unit consists of 2 Wings, each has 3 squadrons.
HTMS Chakri Naruebet also has its own flying unit, consisting of 2 squadrons.
Personnel
- Naval Air Force: 1,700 men
SEALs
List of equipment
thumb|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.
News
News about Thai Navy procurement project
Main Fleet
- 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.
- 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$150million.
RTN Flying Unit
- New tactical transport helicopter - United States announces the permission to sell 6 MH-60S Navy Hawk's to Thai Navy to enhance search and rescue capability. RTN already signed contact for 2 units and the other 4 will be procured year by year
According to the news on 4 Dec 2007. RTN decided to launch a plan to buy 14 new helicopter. This include 4 MH-60S and additional 4 Super Lynx 300, also plan to buy the attack helicopter to replace AV-8S while still keep option open for a fixed-wing aircraft.
- VIP and MEDEVAC aircraft - Royal Thai Army and Royal Thai Navy signed contact with Embraer to purchase 2 ERJ-135. 1 aircraft to each force. It will uses for VIP transportation. RTN version also have a MEDEVAC capability.
RTN Marine Crops and SEALs
Indigenous Product
- Small patrol ship - By The King initiated, Thai Navy build and commissions its new patrol crafts T.991 Class. The first ship, T.991, was built in the Royal Thai Navy Dock. Another 2, T.992 and T.993, was built by Mason Shipbuilding in Thailand. These ships also inspected and evaluated closely by The King who gave many ideas to this project. He and The Queen also lead the commissioning ceremony on 30 April 2007. Project to build T.994 - T.996 are underway.
- Local-build OPV - On 11 November 2008, Cabinet approves the plan to build RTN's new offshore patrol vessel (OPV) in the deal worth 3 billion Baht. ($USD 85 million) Although RTN still did not unveil the design, the vessel will be built in Mahidol dockyard in Thailand.
- Special mission boat - On 3 March 2008, RTN launch four new special operation fast craft in Marsun shipbuilding dockyard in Samut Prakan Province. They will commission in Naval Special Warfare Command for the operation of Royal Thai Navy SEALs.
[ ผู้บัญชาการทหารเรือ เป็นประธานในพิธีปล่อยเรือปฏิบัติการความเร็วสูงลงน้ำ และพิธีวางกระดูกงูเรือส่งกำลังบำรุงขนาดเล็ก (Thai)]
- Local-build LCU - On 3 March 2008, keel laying ceremony was performed in Marsun shipbuilding dockyard on RTN new LCU landing craft. Work is expect to complete in 2009 - 2010.
- 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.
See also
