Picture courtesy of Sattahip News.

 

Senior naval commanders from Thailand and the United States presided over the opening ceremony of the CARAT 2025 joint military exercise on 7 July, marking the start of one of the largest bilateral naval training operations between the two nations.

 

The ceremony was held at Laem Thian Port in Sattahip district, Chonburi Province and was co-chaired by Admiral Natthaphon Diewwanich, Commander of the Royal Thai Fleet and Rear Admiral Katie F. Sheldon, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet. The exercise involves approximately 1,000 personnel from both navies.

 

The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise has been held annually since 1995 and serves as a key platform for improving maritime security coordination, tactical interoperability and mutual understanding between the two naval forces. For this year’s exercise, the Royal Thai Navy’s Frigate Squadron 2 has been assigned overall command, under the leadership of Rear Admiral Anurak Promngam.

 

CARAT 2025 is designed to enhance the operational capabilities of both navies across multiple domains, including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and humanitarian assistance. It also serves to reinforce the longstanding defence partnership between Thailand and the United States, ensuring readiness in the face of evolving regional challenges.

 

The 12-day exercise is divided into three phases: harbour training, at-sea operations and post-exercise debriefing. The Royal Thai Navy has deployed three warships, HTMS Naresuan, HTMS Saiburi and HTMS Rattanakosin, as well as five types of aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.

 

The U.S. Navy is participating with the USS Santa Barbara, multiple aircraft and Sea Hawk anti-submarine helicopters. Joint operations will take place from 7 to 18 July across Chonburi and Rayong provinces and in the upper Gulf of Thailand.

 

Officials emphasised that the exercise would improve combined response capabilities, promote knowledge exchange and strengthen the maritime domain awareness of both navies, in line with the complex security environment of today’s world.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Sattahip News 2025-07-08

 

 

 

That will keep the Pattaya girls happy