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Military


Chao Phraya
Frigate

Thailand purchased four Chinese Jianghu-class FFGs and two improved Type IV frigates. The frigates, two being of the Chinese-made F25T class, were designed and built by the China State Shipbuilding Corp in Shanghai. The type IV frigates are HTMS Taksin (delivered in November 1995) and HTMS Naresuan. The four Jianghu-class FFGs are the HTMS Bang Pakong, HTMS Chao Phraya (delivered in 1991), HTMS Saiburi, and HTMS Kraburi. The ships were purchased at "friendship prices" of 2,000 million baht each, compared to the 8,000 million baht price tag for Western-built frigates.

The Chaophraya, which was commissioned on 5 April 1991, and the Bang Pakong, which was commissioned on 20 July 1991. Neither of these two ships has a helicopter landing pad. The other two ships in this group, the Kraburi, which was delivered in January 1992, and the Saiburi, which was delivered in August 1992, both had helicopter landing pads.

The reason for purchasing the Chaophraya- and Naresuan-class frigates is that the Navy did not have enough frigates necessary for the various Naval activities required. Thus, the Navy has had to quickly procure additional large frigates in addition to the four 053 HT and 053 Ht (H) type frigates already purchased from China.

Apparently, these frigates proved less than impressive to the Thai Navy. The quality of workmanship of the frigate was said to be inferior, and considerable rework was needed to bring the vessels up to acceptable standards. The ability of the ships to resist battle damage was extremely limited, and damage control facilities were virtually non-existent. Fire-suppression systems were rudimentary, and it appeared that were the hull breached rapid flooding would quickly lead to the loss of the ship.

Specifications
Displacement1,800 normal, 1,960 full load
Length338.5 feet / 103.2 meters
Beam 33.4 feet / 10.2 meters
Draft 10.2 feet / 3 meters
Speed 28 kts
Armament
  • Guns 2 x 100mm/56 cal China designed in 1 twin turret (4 in 455 & 456) 8 x 37mm/76 cal China designed in four twin mounts
  • Missiles 8 x Ying Ji (Eagle Strike) (C-801) SSMs may be fitted with HQ-61 launcher for PL-9 missiles ASW 2 RBU-1200 (China Type 86) 5-tubed fixed mortar launcher
  • Depth Charges 2 BMB racks
    • Systems
  • ESM, Jammer, Chaff/IR Countermeasures
  • Surveillance Radar
  • Navigation Radar
  • 3 fire control Radars
  • IFF
  • Hull-mounted Sonar
    • Crew 168

    Ships

    Name Number Homeport Builder Ordered Commissioned Decomm
    Chao Phraya
    Bangpakong
    Kraburi
    Saiburi     		455
    456
    457
    458     		Hudong 1989
    1989
    1990
    1990     		1991
    1991
    1992
    1992





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