Bhumibol Adulyadej-class

Summary

Description

The Bhumibol Adulyadej-class frigate is a significant naval asset of the Royal Thai Navy that encompasses a modern design based on the South Korean Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyer, but modified with enhanced stealth capabilities. This class underlines the Royal Thai Navy's commitment to advanced frigate capability as part of its High-Performance Frigate Boat Project, enabling the navy to execute comprehensive three-dimensional combat operations spanning surface, underwater, and aerial domains.

The origin of this class lies in the desire of the Royal Thai Navy to expand its operational scope and modernize its fleet. The initiative was brought to fruition with the construction of the lead ship in South Korea. This vessel was initially referred to as HTMS Tha Chin and was later rechristened HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej, in honor of the beloved late King of Thailand. The ship was officially commissioned on 7 January 2019, marking a new era in the capabilities of the Royal Thai Navy.

The design of the Bhumibol Adulyadej-class frigate integrates attributes aimed at reducing its radar profile to enhance its stealthiness. This strategic approach allows the class to operate with a lower risk of detection, thus increasing its effectiveness in modern naval warfare where stealth and electronic warfare capabilities are evermore critical.

The armament of the class allows for robust defense and offensive capabilities within its multirole function. It hosts an array of weapons and sensor systems, which, according to external sources like ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, includes cutting-edge bow and towed sonar systems. These systems bolster the ship's anti-submarine warfare capacity, providing comprehensive situational awareness and increased combat readiness in undersea engagements.

Technical specifications