Military Thailand Urged to Build Frigates at Home to Boost Industry

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of The Standard

 

The Subcommittee on Equipment, ICT and Revolving Funds within the House of Representatives’ Budget Committee approved the Royal Thai Navy’s request for funding to procure a frigate valued at 17.5 billion baht. The Navy also sought Cabinet approval to amend an earlier resolution, allowing for the acquisition of two frigates in total, worth 35 billion baht, though funding is currently available for only one vessel.

 

While this does not yet guarantee that both ships will be built, the move signals a stronger government commitment to securing funding for two frigates. The Navy’s plan is to construct the vessels in Thailand, aiming to revitalise the country’s long-stagnant shipbuilding industry, which has suffered from limited capacity and investment.

 

The Navy currently operates only four frigates, well short of its minimum requirement of eight, underscoring the urgency of the procurement. Frigates play a crucial role in national defence. Building both ships domestically would encourage private sector confidence and make investments in capacity expansion more worthwhile.

 

Crucially, this project would keep a portion of military spending within the Thai economy rather than sending it entirely overseas. Many countries with well-planned defence strategies integrate domestic defence industries into their national security framework, ensuring these industries can survive long term.

 

However, there are concerns. In the past, some have argued that the first vessel should be built abroad to gain technical know-how before domestic production begins. Critics note that this approach contradicts the stated purpose of the budget request to Parliament and point to the Navy’s previous experience when HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej was built in South Korea. At the time, the Navy promised the second frigate would be built locally, but instead opted to purchase submarines from abroad, leaving local shipyards idle.

 

Given that the Navy has already acquired foreign shipbuilding expertise, opponents argue there is no need to “learn” again overseas. Technology for hull construction changes little over time, and weapon and sensor systems can be integrated under foreign supervision in domestic shipyards. Several Thai shipyards have already declared they can build a frigate in-country from the first vessel, rendering the overseas-first argument weak.

 

There is little dispute over the necessity of frigates for Thailand’s defence. The real question is whether the procurement plan will genuinely benefit the Thai economy. If managed properly, this project could become a turning point for the country’s struggling shipbuilding sector. To achieve this, the Navy must assure the government and taxpayers that the frigates will indeed be built in Thailand from the outset, fulfilling the true purpose of the 17.5 billion baht investment.

 

Analysis courtesy of Analayo Kosakul, The Standard.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from The Standard 2025-08-12

 

 

 

 

 

[redwood1]

Why not round up all those motorbike taxi slacker and get them to build the submarine...I bet they would get it done before China....