Thailand launches USD1 billion frigate acquisition programme

The Thai government has approved a long-delayed project to procure two multipurpose frigates for the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).

A cabinet meeting on 18 September allocated the frigate acquisition THB30 billion (USD972 million), making the procurement one of the country's largest defence programmes (alongside the order in 2008 for 12 Saab JAS 39 Gripen combat aircraft, which cost USD1.1 billion over two tranches). Funds for the frigate purchase will be sourced from defence expenditures over five years (2012-16).

The cabinet also approved a second-phase upgrade for the navy's existing Naresuan-class (Type 25T) frigates as well as the Royal Thai Army's bid to acquire additional multirole helicopters. The frigate upgrade has been allocated THB3.3 billion over three years (2012-14) and the army helicopter purchase – which is likely to involve the acquisition of two UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters – will receive THB2.8 billion over the same timeframe.

The RTN has yet to select a design to meet its new frigate requirement, which was initially tabled to government in 2002 but delayed because of funding shortages, although IHS Jane's understands that senior officers hope to secure an advanced 2,000-3,000 tonne platform from Europe or South Korea.