RTN Krabi class OPV

[Ayoshi]

https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/krabi-class-offshore-patrol-vessels/

Krabi class Offshore Patrol Vessels

The HTMS Krabi offshore patrol vessel is built by Thai naval shipbuilder Bangkok Dock under a licensing agreement with BAE Systems, to meet the specific operational requirements of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).

The vessel is intended to conduct routine patrols, border control and fishery protection missions in Thailand’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and can also be deployed to perform disaster relief operations and natural resources protection in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.

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Design and features of Krabi vessel
The design of HTMS Krabi vessel is based on 90m offshore patrol vessel, an evolution of the 80m River-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV), which is designed and built by BAE Systems for the UK Royal Navy.

HTMS Krabi is 90.5m-long, 13.5m-wide and 7.7m-high, and has a draft of 3.8m. With a displacement of 1,969t, the vessel can accommodate up to 39 crew members plus 50 embarked personnel.

The vessel is operated from the navigation bridge, located amidships. The marine radars and communications systems are attached at the top of the bridge.

A large 20m flight deck at the aft section supports the operation of a Super Lynx multi-purpose military helicopter. The vessel also carries a rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) on both sides to perform patrol and transportation tasks.

The OPV is installed with air-conditioning and electrical systems, storage and accommodation facilities, as well as a crane to lift equipment.

Armament to combat shore-based targets

An Oto Melara 76mm lightweight naval gun, developed by Italian OTO Melara, is installed on the bow. With a rate of fire of 120 rounds a minute, it is designed to provide defence against shore-based targets.

Two dual-feed MSI 30mm guns, fitted on both port and starboard mounts, offer protection against light targets. The offshore patrol vessel is also armed with general-purpose machine guns.

The second patrol vessel in the class can be equipped with a RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile.

[Ayoshi]

https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/krabi-class-offshore-patrol-vessels/


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Photos taken from naval-technology.com

[Ayoshi]

https://www.janes.com/article/90271/thailand-conducts-ceremonial-launch-for-second-krabi-class-opv

Thailand conducts ceremonial launch for second Krabi-class OPV
04 August 2019

The ship, which will be in service as HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan (552) once commissioned, underwent its ceremonial launch at the RTN's Mahidol Adulyadej Naval Dockyard in Sattahip, Chonburi, on 2 August, the RTN announced on its official website on the same day.

The OPV is the second vessel of its class. Its sister ship, HTMS Krabi (551), was commissioned into service in August 2013. Both vessels are based on the UK Royal Navy's River-class OPVs, which entered service between 2003 and 2007.

Like Krabi , Prachuap Khiri Khan was built by state-owned Bangkok Dock under a technology-transfer agreement signed with BAE Systems. It was laid down in June 2017 and first took to the water in late August 2018.

The Royal Thai Navy’s second Krabi-class offshore patrol vessel, Prachuap Khiri Khan, seen here at its ceremonial launch. Source: Royal Thai Navy

[Ayoshi]

https://navaltoday.com/2019/10/02/royal-thai-navy-commissions-second-krabi-class-opv/

Royal Thai Navy commissions second Krabi-class OPV
October 2, 2019

HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan (hull number 552) was commissioned less than a month after it was launched in early August by Thailand’s Bangkok Dock.

Built under a licensing agreement with UK defense contractor BAE Systems, HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan is based on the River-class OPVs currently being built for the Royal Navy by BAE Systems.

[girder]

One notable thing about the Krabi-class OPV is that the second ship of the class (HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan) came with Harpoon anti-ship missiles installed, so there's proven platform integration.

Also serves as an example as to how such a system can be integrated into a previously gun-only vessel.






Links:
https://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2019/10/htms-prachuap-khiri-khan-entered.html
http://thaidefense-news.blogspot.com/2019/09/blog-post_29.html