Thailand’s Navy to Get Five New Patrol Vessels

The RTN continues its longstanding effort to modernize its capabilities despite lingering challenges.

By Prashanth Parameswaran

 

Last week, a local shipyard launched five new patrol vessels for Thailand’s navy. The vessels represent yet another addition to Thailand’s maritime capabilities as the Southeast Asian state looks to address a wide array of security challenges amid lingering constraints.

 

Over the past few years, the Royal Thai Navy has been looking to replace some of its older vessels and modernize its maritime capabilities as part of its wider defense plans. As part of this ongoing process, the RTN has had several patrol vessels built and delivered from local shipyard Marsun Company Limited over the years, including M58 large patrol boats and smaller M21-class patrol boats.

 

As I have noted before in these pages, the M21-class patrol boats, per Marsun’s specifications, are 21.4 meters long, with top speeds in excess of 30 knots, a range of 350 nautical miles, and an endurance of 24 hours.

 

Full story: https://thediplomat.com/2018/07/thailands-navy-to-get-five-new-patrol-vessels/

 

-- THE DIPLOMAT 2018-2018-07-31

I feel safer already.... 

They will come in handy searching for submarines...

4 minutes ago, JAG said:

They will come in handy searching for submarines...

Respectfully, I think that should be:

 

'They will come in handy rescuing the submarines.'

 

 

Five more Admirals. 

11 minutes ago, PoorSucker said:

Five more Admirals. 

Yeah, not sure which Thailand has more of - road traffic deaths per year, or admirals?  It must be too close to call.

 

Maybe they got wind of a plan of 5 or more people meeting out at sea to discuss politics. 

Need something to rescue bodies from the water..... 

Having more patrol boats means the navy is better equipped for pushing Rhohynian refugees out to sea.

10 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

Maybe they got wind of a plan of 5 or more people meeting out at sea to discuss politics. 

I thought it was Prawit who got (wet) wind.

 

Actually, for a country like Thailand, this kind of patrol boat is much more useful than larger vessels or submarines.  These boats are perfect for SAR operations and anti-smuggling patrols. 

 

As Thailand is unlikely to engage in a naval war anytime soon, these smaller boats make much more sense than another white elephant!

Looks like the arms race is heating up. Who's got the best watch on their arms? Find out in next weeks photo-op.

17 minutes ago, otherstuff1957 said:

Actually, for a country like Thailand, this kind of patrol boat is much more useful than larger vessels or submarines.

Leaving possible graft aside, I've always thought the aircraft carrier and the submarines were a misguided attempt to push Thailand up certain military power rankings. From what I recall, merely having these in your arsenal increases your military weighting, regardless of their appropriateness.

Understandable considering the myriad of threats to the country 

??

Just now, Redline said:

Understandable considering the myriad of threats to the country 

??

Paranoia doesn't mean they aren't out to get you - even from across the water.

 

4 hours ago, otherstuff1957 said:

Actually, for a country like Thailand, this kind of patrol boat is much more useful than larger vessels or submarines.  These boats are perfect for SAR operations and anti-smuggling patrols. 

 

As Thailand is unlikely to engage in a naval war anytime soon, these smaller boats make much more sense than another white elephant!

How dare you not criticise naval procurement- the geezers will spin in their armchairs! ?

 

Some people forget that with a navy dating back in some parts to the sixties re-equipment is actually necessary from time to time. Vietnam era 'Swift Boats' can still be seen on occasion.

 

Edit: there are already a number of M-21s in service .

Edited July 31, 20187 yr by Psimbo

Lots of kissing up to the Navy lately after decades of neglect and suspicion regarding their loyalty to the military strong men. Will that be enough to buy their loyalty? 

5 hours ago, otherstuff1957 said:

Actually, for a country like Thailand, this kind of patrol boat is much more useful than larger vessels or submarines.  These boats are perfect for SAR operations and anti-smuggling patrols. 

 

As Thailand is unlikely to engage in a naval war anytime soon, these smaller boats make much more sense than another white elephant!

Yep, agree with your comments absolutely, a definite asset. They actually look like very nice patrol boats, similar in size to the ones we were using in Hong Kong until it was handed back.

 

 

Not sure what working boats they will come with; we were using fast pursuit boats like the one below, perfect for Thai waters, rough or smooth.

 

 

 

 

Just 500 million baht each. Comes with a free Rolex Submariner.

Edited July 31, 20187 yr by Grossman

6 hours ago, otherstuff1957 said:

Actually, for a country like Thailand, this kind of patrol boat is much more useful than larger vessels or submarines.  These boats are perfect for SAR operations and anti-smuggling patrols. 

 

As Thailand is unlikely to engage in a naval war anytime soon, these smaller boats make much more sense than another white elephant!

Fit some trawling booms and they'll be able to sweep up those pesky, reputation damaging Chinese tourists quicker!

10 hours ago, JAG said:

They will come in handy searching for submarines...

I thought there may be some new submarines....you can never have too many. And apparently you get a free Admiral with each one!

What are these security challenges and lingering constraints - maybe commission maybe more accurate

Maritime capabilities.... to do what ? Search for sunken used subs?

23 hours ago, colinneil said:

Having more patrol boats means the navy is better equipped for pushing Rhohynian refugees out to sea.

 

They won't have time to be dealing with refugees, too much flood waters that will need "propelling" back to somewhere !!!