It appears that the Narusean-class frigates have been chosen by Thailand to act as "bodyguards" for the aircraft carrier HTMS Charki Naruebet.
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| In a recent exercise, the Royal Thai Navy deployed the pair.Naresuan-class frigateTo escort the aircraft carrier HTMS Charki Naruebet. In the photo, one of the two Narusean-class ships is sailing to the right of the aircraft carrier, with a squadron of JAS-39 Gripen C/D fighter jets overhead. Image source: Sina |
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| Although it was only a joint exercise, it cannot be ruled out that the Royal Thai Navy "defaulted" to using the Naresuan ships as "bodyguards," as "guardian angels" to protect the aircraft carrier Charki Naruebet, which lacks strong self-defense weapons. (Image source: Sina) |
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| Despite possessing large warships over 2,000 tons for a long time, the Royal Thai Navy lacked a warship with sufficient air defense capabilities to protect HTMS Charki Naruebet – the only aircraft carrier in Southeast Asia. Now, after the Narusean pair were upgraded, they have finally found their "bodyguard." (Image source: Sina) |
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| Currently, the Royal Thai Navy has two Naresuan-class ships named HTMS Naresuan (421) and HTMS Taksin (422), built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) in 1993-1994. Since 2011, the two ships have been modernized by Thailand with Western-standard weapons and radar systems, significantly increasing their power. Image source: Sina |
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| The Naresuan-class frigate has a full-load displacement of 2,985 tons, is 120m long, 13.7m wide, and has a draft of 6m. The ship is equipped with one LM2500 gas turbine engine and two MTU diesel engines, along with two propellers, giving it a maximum speed of 32 knots and a cruising range of 7,400km. (Image source: Sina) |
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| Before modernization, the Naresuan-class aircraft carrier was not highly regarded for its combat capabilities, as its anti-aircraft firepower consisted only of a 37mm cannon and lacked missiles. After the upgrade, it underwent a complete transformation with a full range of anti-aircraft missile systems, anti-submarine weapons, and the addition of the GIRAFFE passive phased array radar capable of detecting stealth aircraft (detection range 10-470km) and the Thales LW08 long-range early warning and reconnaissance radar. (Image source: Sina) |
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| Close-up of the Mk.41 vertical launch system (VLS) equipped on the frigate HTMS Naresuan (421). Image source: Sina |
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| The Mk.41 launcher can deploy 32 RIM-162 ESSM surface-to-air missiles, specifically designed to counter supersonic cruise missiles. It has a range of approximately 50km and uses a semi-active radar homing system (final phase). (Image source: Sina) |
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| A close-up view of the ship's aft superstructure, with both sides equipped with DS30M Mark 2 30mm automatic defense guns designed to destroy airborne and surface threats. However, with a firing rate of only 100-200 rounds per minute, the DS30M is considered incapable of retaliating against enemy anti-ship missiles. Image source: Sina |
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| Immediately behind the command bridge are two launch modules for RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles, equivalent to Vietnam's Kh-35 Uran-E. (Image source: Sina) |
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| The 127mm Mk45 naval gun has a range of 24km on board a Thai warship. (Image source: Sina) |
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What many people don't know is that the Naresuan warships were once the focus of controversy in Thailand-China defense relations. Specifically, after China handed over the ships, Thailand discovered that they had numerous technical flaws. For example, the electrical wiring appeared to be old; the battle damage control system was very limited, and the fire suppression system was poor. (Image source: Wikipedia)
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According to Baodatviet
