PARIS, April 29 (UPI) -- The Royal Thai Navy has commissioned Thales of France for the modernization of two mine-hunter vessels and for a communications suite on a new patrol vessel.
The combined value of the two contracts was not disclosed.
Under the first deal, Thales will be the prime contractor for the upgrade two Bang Rachan-class mine-hunters, which were built in the 1980s. It will be responsible for the revised vessel design, repairs and modernization, the procurement of needed equipment and the platform integration.
The upgraded ships will be equipped with new solutions, including a machinery control system, navigation systems, upgraded communications capabilities, Sonar TSM 2022 MkIII with M-CUBE command and control suite and a multi-influence signature range to manage RTN ships' signatures.
Thales will work with the local industry to manage the work. It will also provide training and integrated logistic support for the RTN.
The second contract is for the supply of a combat, navigation and communication suite for a second Krabi-class offshore patrol vessel being built by Bangkok Dock.
Thales said it will supply VARIANT surveillance radar, STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 fire control radar and VIGILE Electronic Support Measures with SKWS chaff launcher. A tactical data link, Link RTN and LINK-Y Mk2 are included. They are internal and external communication systems. Thales will also be responsible for their integration.
Also to be integrated on board the vessel are a 76mm gun, two 30mm guns and Harpoon missiles.
The ship is expected to be commissioned in the second half of 2018, Thales said.
