A Manager Online analysis published on 25 August 2026 has raised questions over the Royal Thai Navy's planned purchase of a second frigate worth 17 billion baht, with Hanwha Ocean reportedly set to win despite criticism of its proposed specifications. The report, said Hanwha Ocean - formerly DSME and builder of HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej - could again secure the contract. It follows recent concerns over problems involving the previous ship. Scoring system and technical concerns The Navy's tender reportedly gives 90% of the assessment to technical criteria and 10% to price. Technical marks are split into 85% for ship specifications and 15% for economic-offset proposals, although the Navy commander and Fleet commander have previously described the vessel's specifications as the central issue in selecting a ship. Manager Online said Hanwha's specification score was only slightly above half, and was lower than proposals from Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Spain's Navantia in almost every area. It said Hanwha offered a 76 SRMF main gun unable to fire DART ammunition, rather than the higher-performance 76 STRALES offered by rivals; a single rotating TRS-4D radar rather than HHI's fixed-array SPY-200K; passive sonar only; and no radar electronic countermeasures, infrared search and track system, or laser warning system. Hanwha also proposed the SETIS or Naval Shield combat-management system, neither previously used by the Thai Navy. Navantia offered CATIZ, which the report said is fully compatible with HTMS Chang, HTMS Pattani and HTMS Narathiwat. ThaiArmedForce.com said on 3 August that the terms of reference did not initially lock in a particular specification, but allowed shipyards to submit proposals before a judgement was made. It argued that Hanwha could not have won if other yards with stronger specifications had not been disqualified. People's Party MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a former chairman of the military committee, raised the reported "six submitted, five rejected" issue in parliament. He said an incomplete competition involving lower specifications and offsets could prompt complaints, suspend the budget and delay delivery for years. Offset figures under scrutiny The Navy said the winner would generate more than 50 billion baht, or 300% of project value, in economic benefits. The analysis distinguished between actual cash spent in Thailand and offset credit, which applies multipliers depending on an activity's importance. Navantia offered 5.728 billion baht in actual spending for 51 billion baht in offset credit, or 300%, and proposed building 100% of the first vessel in Thailand. HHI offered 6.970 billion baht, 44.880 billion baht in credit, or 264%, and 40% local construction. Hanwha's proposed actual investment was 7 billion baht, but its offset credit was about 25 billion baht, or 150%, with only 20% local construction proposed. Manager Online noted that the original stated aim of 100% domestic construction had been reduced to 20% in the actual terms of reference, citing the hull's 25% value. Security analyst Analayo Kosakul of ThaiArmedForce.com said on 1 August that the proposed winner appeared to be investing in lower-multiplier activities and questioned whether its specifications could match competitors'. Complaints could hold up contract Military journalist Wassana Nanuam said that online complaint documents had begun to emerge from foreign companies allegedly unfairly disqualified. Under procurement law, complaints to the Appeals Consideration Committee and Integrity Pact mechanism would immediately delay contract signing. Military committee members led by Ekkarach Udomamnuay said they would examine the matter fully. The report said that if the Navy signs with Hanwha, the committed budget could be suspended or removed during parliamentary consideration of the Budget Act. Rumours suggest the announcement could be delayed until late September 2026, and the project could be reconsidered or reopened for a new selection. Join the discussion? 26 August 2026
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