Royal Thai Navy

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Royal Thai Navy
(RTN)
กองทัพเรือ, ราชนาวี
(RTGS: Kongthap Ruea, Ratcha Navy)

Naval ensign of Royal Thai Navy.
Active 1900-present
Country Kingdom of Thailand
Allegiance Kingdom of Thailand
Branch Royal Thai Fleet
Royal Thai Navy Aviation Unit
Royal Thai Marine Corps
Type Navy
Part of Royal Thai Armed Forces
Garrison/HQ Bangkok
Motto ร่วมเครือนาวี จักยลปฐพีไพศาล
Colors Navy blue
Engagements Paknam Incident
Battle of Koh Chang
Palace Rebellion
Manhattan Rebellion
Commanders
Commander-in-chief Sathiraphan Keyanon
Notable
commanders
Prince Abhakara, the Prince of Chumphon
Luang Sinthusongkhramchai
Insignia
Naval Jack
Royal Thai Navy Flag

The Royal Thai Navy (Thai: กองทัพเรือ) is the navy of Thailand and was established in the late 1800s. As of 2006, the Commander of the Navy was Sathiraphan Keyanon, who was also a Deputy of the Council for National Security that seized power during the 2006 Thailand coup.

Similar to the organizational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the Naval Fleet, and the Royal Thai Marine Corps. The Royal Thai Navy operates out of Sattahip Naval Base.

The Royal Thai Navy operates in three Naval Area Commands: Eastern Gulf of Thailand (First NAC), Western Gulf of Thailand (Second NAC), and the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) (Third NAC). The RTN also has two air wings, located at Utapao (RTN First Air Wing) and Songkhla (RTN Second Air Wing).

The United States Navy and Royal Thai Navy conduct the annual joint operation Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT). CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Philippines.

Contents

[edit] Current strength

[edit] Surface Combatant Vessels

[edit] Fleet Support Vessels

[edit] RTN Flying Unit

RTN Flying Unit consists of 2 Wings, each has 3 squadrons. HTMS Chakri Naruebet also has its own flying unit, consisting of 2 squadrons.

[edit] Personnel

[edit] SEALs

Main article: Royal Thai Navy SEALs

[edit] List of equipment

The majority of the vessels of the Royal Thai Navy are from the United States (nearly half, over 50 of RTN's 130+ vessels). However, RTN also has craft from Britain, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Canada, Netherlands,People's Republic of China and Australia. Additionally, Thailand does produce many of their own vessels, in particular those of smaller displacement.

[edit] News

News about Thai Navy procurement project

[edit] New Anti-Ship Missile

Royal Thai Navy has announced a decision to purchase C-802 to replace C-801 on Chao Phraya-class Frigate. The deal also includes the upgrade of Radar, Electronic Warfare, etc. RTN also aims to buy LY-60 SAM, if funds are allocated. <[1]

[edit] New Naval Helicopter

United States announces the permission to sell 6 MH-60S Navy Hawk's to Thai Navy to enhance search and rescue capability. RTN already signed contact for 2 units and the other 4 will be procured year by year[2]

According to the news on 4 Dec 2007. RTN decided to launch a plan to buy 14 new helicopter. This include 4 MH-60S and additional 4 Super Lynx 300, also plan to buy the attack helicopter to replace AV-8S while still keep option open for a fixed-wing aircraft. [3]

[edit] New Patrol craft of RTN

By The King initiated, Thai Navy build and commissions its new patrol crafts T.991 Class. The first ship, T.991, was built in the Royal Thai Navy Dock. Another 2, T.992 and T.993, was build by Mason Shipbuilding in Thailand. These ships also inspected and evaluated closely by The King who gave many ideas to this project. He and The Queen also lead the commissioning ceremony on 30 April 2007.[4]

[edit] VIP transport Aircraft

Royal Thai Army and Royal Thai Navy signed contact with Embraer to perchase 2 ERJ-135. 1 aircraft to each force. It will uses for VIP transportation. RTN version also have a MEDEVAC capability.[5]


[edit] References

  1. ^ Thai Military Blog C-802 for Thai frigates
  2. ^ Defense Industry Daily Up to $246M for 6 Royal Thai Navy MH-60S Helicopters
  3. ^ Channel News Asia Thai Navy to buy 14 new aircraft
  4. ^ Thai Military Blog ต.๙๙๑ เรือรบตามพระราชดำริ...ของกองทัพเรือไทย (Thai)
  5. ^ Embraer Press Release Embraer sign contracts with the Royal Thai Army and the Royal Thai Navy

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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