HTMS Chakri Naruebet is the sole vessel of the Chakri Naruebet‑class aircraft carrier in service with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) of Thailand. Commissioned on 22 April 1997, the ship functions primarily as a short‑range helicopter carrier and a command platform for maritime operations, amphibious warfare, and humanitarian assistance.
Design and Construction
- Builder: Chantiers de l’Atlantique (formerly the French shipyard in Saint‑Nazaire, France) under a contract awarded in 1993.
- Laid down: 19 March 1994
- Launched: 5 December 1995
- Displacement: Approximately 11,000 tonnes (standard) and 13,000 tonnes (full load).
- Dimensions: Length 182.6 m (598 ft); beam 24 m (79 ft); draft 7.6 m (25 ft).
- Propulsion: Combined diesel and gas (CODAG) system consisting of two Wärtsilä diesel engines (12,000 kW total) and two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines (47,500 kW total), driving two shafts.
- Speed: 30 knots (55 km/h) maximum; 20 knots cruising.
- Complement: Approximately 400 personnel, including aircrew and embarked forces.
Capability
The vessel was designed to operate up to 6 Sikorsky S‑70B Seahawk helicopters or a mix of S‑70B and smaller utility helicopters such as the Eurocopter AS‑332 Super Puma. No fixed‑wing aircraft are embarked; the flight deck lacks catapult or arresting gear. The ship also carries a limited number of troops and can support amphibious landings via its well‑deck and vehicle storage spaces.
Armament includes:
- Two Oto Melara 76 mm/62 caliber naval guns.
- Two 30 mm automatic cannons.
- Short‑range surface‑to‑air missile launchers (e.g., Selenia Aspide) for point‑defence.
Electronic systems comprise navigation radars, air‑search radars, and communications suites compatible with RTN and allied forces.
Operational History
Since commissioning, HTMS Chakri Naruebet has participated in numerous national and international exercises, including bilateral drills with United States, Japan, and Australia navies. The ship has been employed in anti‑piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden, disaster‑relief missions after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and as a command platform for maritime security operations in the Gulf of Thailand.
Refits and Upgrades
The vessel has undergone several modernization programs:
- 2006–2007: Installation of new combat management system and upgraded communication equipment.
- 2011–2013: Overhaul of propulsion plant and refurbishment of flight deck facilities.
- 2018: Integration of a new radar suite (Thales NS100) and replacement of aging 76 mm guns with upgraded models featuring improved fire‑control.
Strategic Significance
HTMS Chakri Naruebet represents Thailand’s most capable sea‑based aviation platform, providing the RTN with a mobile air‑support capability for surveillance, transport, and limited anti‑submarine warfare. While the ship’s size and capabilities are modest compared with full‑size aircraft carriers, it enhances Thailand’s maritime domain awareness and contributes to regional security cooperation.
Future Outlook
Plans for further upgrades have been discussed within Thai defence procurement documents, including potential integration of a vertical‑launch system for point‑defence missiles and enhancements to accommodate newer helicopter variants. No definitive schedule for such modifications has been publicly confirmed as of the latest available sources.