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South Korea’s DSME Launched Tha Chine DW3000 Frigate for the Royal Thai Navy

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Naval Industry News - South Korea, Thailand
 
 
 
South Korea’s DSME Launched Tha Chine DW3000 Frigate for the Royal Thai Navy
 
South Korean shipyard Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) held a ceremony yesterday for the delivery of the DW3000 Frigate ordered by the Royal Thai Navy. Thailand ordered the 3,650 tons frigate in August 2013 under a contract worth US$410 million.
     
DSME Launched DW3000 Frigate Royal Thai Navy 1Delivery ceremony for the Royal Thai Navy first DW3000 Frigate at DSME shipyard. Picture: DSME
     
The ceremony took place at the Geoje Okpo Shipyard in Gyeongsangnam-do in presence of Admiral Na Areenich, Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Navy, Rungsarit Sattayanukul, Chief of the Frigate Operation Committee, Saran Charoensuwan, Ambassador of Thailand to the Republic of Korea, Park Yeong-sik, President of DSME and Chung Sung-lip, CEO of DSME.
     
DSME Launched DW3000 Frigate Royal Thai Navy 2 Royal Thai Navy first DW3000 Frigate launched at DSME shipyard
     
The vessel, a "DW3000 F" Frigate, was fully designed and developed by DSME. It is 122.5 meters in length, 14.4 meters in width with a top speed of 30 knots. It can accommodate a crew of 136.

The vessel, which received the penant number 471 and named "Tha Chine" is already fitted with a 76mm main gun. Models of the vessel previously showcased by DSME showed additional equipment such as a Phalanx CIWS, Harpoon launchers, 8x Mk41 VLS, Saab SeaGiraffe radar and Atlas Electronik towed sonar.

A second unit may eventually be ordered by the Royal Thai Navy.
     
DSME Launched DW3000 Frigate Royal Thai Navy 3Delivery ceremony for the Royal Thai Navy first DW3000 Frigate at DSME shipyard. Picture: DSME
     
Admiral Na Arreenich, Thailand's Navy chief of staff, who attended the launching ceremony, said, "We are expecting that the newest frigate, which accurately reflects the requirements of the Thai Navy, will be used in conjunction with the existing fleet to help smooth our operations".

This frigate order is one of the largest defense contracts in Thailand's history. DSME has partnered with major domestic defense companies' equipments to promote joint growth with SMEs.

"We would like to recognize Thailand as the largest ally that helped the ROK Armed Forces during the Korean War, so that we can contribute to the Thai Navy 's strength development. We will comply with the date of delivery and achieve the highest level of shipbuilding," said DSME CEO.

Thailand is a major military power in Southeast Asia. Recently, in preparation for the dispute over territorial rights due to the increase of naval power in neighboring countries and the modernization project of ageing vessels in order to protect marine resources, DSME has been steadily strengthening the naval power of Thailand.